The limits of incrementalism: Carter's efforts at tax reform

Edward R. Kantowicz

Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 1984, vol. 4, issue 2, 217-233

Abstract: Candidate Jimmy Carter adopted tax reform as a major presidential campaign issue in 1976, calling the tax system “a disgrace to the human race” and promising greater equity, efficiency, and simplicity. As president, however, Carter failed in his efforts to effect tax reform, primarily because he did not make his reform proposals sweeping or radical enough. This failure suggests that a policy of incrementalism, of step-by-step legislative change, has serious limits when applied to a long-entrenched governmental program. Incremental change may be appropriate for advancing or extending social programs but insufficient for curbing them or substantially shifting their direction.

Date: 1984
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:4:y:1984:i:2:p:217-233

DOI: 10.2307/3324625

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