2025 Essay Topic

Some economists contend that a comprehensive expansion of capital taxation—encompassing not only corporate and estate taxes but also interest, dividends, and rental income currently embedded within the individual income tax framework—could significantly mitigate economic inequality in the United States.
 
To what extent do you concur with the implementation of such a tax regime targeting both the flows and stocks of capital? Furthermore, should this broad-based capital taxation generate additional fiscal revenue, how should these resources be allocated to most effectively alleviate systemic inequality and foster long-term economic mobility?

Guidelines

To ensure a rigorous and well-structured analysis, participants should adhere to the following academic standards:

1. Analytical Reasoning: Clearly state and defend your position on capital taxation using sound economic principles. You must move beyond moral arguments to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how tax policy influences economic behavior.
2. Theoretical Framework: Incorporate advanced economic concepts to support your thesis. Specifically, address the marginal utility of income when discussing redistribution, and evaluate capital mobility and tax elasticity to anticipate potential deadweight losses or capital flight.
3. Temporal Perspective: Evaluate both short-term and long-term consequences. Analyze how a broader tax base might impact immediate investment and innovation versus its long-term effects on systemic social welfare and fiscal sustainability.
4. Strategic Resource Allocation: If you advocate for increased capital taxation, you must provide a detailed proposal for the allocation of new revenue. Explain why your chosen sector—such as early childhood education (Pre-K), AI-adaptive reskilling, or healthcare—is the most effective lever for promoting long-term economic mobility.
5. Evidence-Based Discourse: Anchor your arguments in empirical data and authoritative literature. Reference seminal works by economists such as Piketty, Saez, and Zucman regarding capital flows, or Stiglitz and Mankiw for debates on efficiency and equity.

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Submission Requirements

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Example: A candidate named Jane Smith would submit: Jane-Smith-GII-2025.pdf
Essays with filenames not in this format may be rejected. 

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Anonymity

The candidate's name should NOT appear within the document itself.

• No name on the title page, header, footer, or body text
• Essays containing identifying information may be disqualified
• Your identity will be linked through your application form only

Endnotes & Bibliography

• Candidates should NOT add footnotes
• Candidates may add endnotes and/or a bibliography, clearly titled as such
• Endnotes and bibliography are not included in the word count

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be rigorously evaluated based on the following four pillars of academic excellence:

• Clarity of Argument and Structure: How effectively is the thesis stated, and does the essay follow a logical progression that guides the reader through complex economic data?
• Depth of Economic and Analytical Reasoning: Does the author demonstrate mastery of the required concepts? We look for a nuanced application of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), particularly in calculating the ROI of human capital investments.
• Originality of Perspective: Does the essay offer a fresh lens on the "capital vs. labor" debate? We value innovative approaches that connect tax policy to modern challenges, such as the rise of Artificial Intelligence and the changing nature of work.
• Policy Insight and Coherence: Are the proposed solutions practical and internally consistent? The evaluator will assess whether the revenue generation mechanism aligns seamlessly with the intended social impact.

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Academic Criteria

All work must be the applicant's own. The Global Inequality Institute uses various means to identify plagiarism, contract cheating, the use of AI-generated content, and other forms of academic dishonesty.

Any violation will result in immediate disqualification. Our determinations in all such matters are final.

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Recognition

The Grand Prize winning essay will be published on the Global Inequality Institute website. All selected participants will receive certificates of distinction.

The judges' decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

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Eligibility

• Open to students in Grades 8–12 (or international equivalents)
• Entry is open to students from any country
• Submissions must be individual, written in English, and original, unpublished work

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Key Dates

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Why It Matters

The Global Inequality Essay Awards reflect GII's belief that education is the foundation of justice.
By engaging young people in questions that connect economics, ethics, and policy, the program fosters curiosity, empathy, and critical thought — essential traits for future changemakers.

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"Understanding inequality is the first step toward designing fairness."

Contact

Any queries regarding the essay competition should be sent to:
info@globalinequalityinstitute.org

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