Author of The Brazilian Mind, The Voter's Mind and The Brazilian Vote, social scientist Alberto Carlos Almeida addresses another fundamental issue for the country: taxes.
How much tax do Brazilians pay? Why are rates so high compared to other countries, and why are public services, funded by taxes, so poor? In "O dedo na cicatriz: Menos imposto, mais consumo" (The Finger on the Wound: Less Tax, More Consumption), Alberto Almeida shows that Brazilians know they pay too much in taxes and want these resources to be used for better services. The study also reveals something surprising: contrary to what many believe, Brazilians prefer to pay less in taxes and, with more of their salary, pay for private services (schools and health plans, among others) that work. The author discusses alternatives to change this situation and challenges, in the midst of an election year: wouldn't it be high time for a leader of a major party to emerge who defends consumption and employment through a policy of tax reduction?
Buying a book is one of the few actions Brazilians aren't subject to brutal taxation. In Brazil, society exists to support the state: almost 40% of GDP is extracted from the pockets of companies and consumers. Taxes drain resources from the productive sector that could be used to generate more jobs, more consumption, and more investment.
Alberto Almeida shows that the Brazilian population supports tax cuts, mainly because they enable them to buy more and get better jobs. Brazilians want more autonomy and independence and less government oversight. Alberto addresses the frustration of taxpayers who pay too much and receive too little from a system dominated by waste and corruption.
After 10 months of research and dozens of questions, Alberto Almeida collected impressive data that resulted in "The Finger on the Wound." The survey interviewed a thousand Brazilian adults in all major regions of the country, all metropolitan areas, and approximately 70 municipalities, providing a faithful representation of the Brazilian adult population. The result combines Karl Marx and Adam Smith, a book that is both leftist and liberal.
Alberto Carlos Almeida also touches on a fundamental point: the lack of Brazilian politicians willing to champion tax reduction as a campaign promise. This book, which puts a finger on the wound, is a warning to politicians who are clearly at odds with voters' true desires. This essential book presents proposals for what should be Brazil's major agenda of the future.
Alberto Carlos Almeida é doutor em Ciência Política, diretor do Instituto Brasilis, empresa de pesquisa e consultoria, e autor de vários livros que abordam de maneira científica a sociedade e a política no Brasil, como A mão e a luva: o que elege um presidente, A cabeça do brasileiro, O voto do brasileiro, entre outros.
