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Subject Area: Economics
Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: Law
Topic: Property

SECTION II.: ORDER OF THE DETAILS. - Jeremy Bentham, The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 2 [1843]

Edition used:

The Works of Jeremy Bentham, published under the Superintendence of his Executor, John Bowring (Edinburgh: William Tait, 1838-1843). 11 vols. Vol. 2.

Part of: The Works of Jeremy Bentham, 11 vols.

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SECTION II.

ORDER OF THE DETAILS.

In continuing the thread of this proposal, the following is the course I propose to take:—

1. To give a brief view of the advantages or beneficial properties that appear to recommend the measure to the adoption of government.

2. To show how distinct it is, in reality, from all taxes on collateral successions, which have ever been established or proposed, and how much the distinction is to its advantage.

3. To exhibit the best idea I am capable of giving of the probable amount of the produce that may be expected from it.

4. I shall add a few observations relative to the most eligible application to be made of that produce.

Descending further into detail,*

5. I shall give a more particular view of such regulations as may seem proper to be inserted for the purpose of applying to practice the principles already exhibited.

6. I shall attempt a sketch of an official establishment for the collection of the produce.

7. I shall consider the measure with reference to the cases where the interest of individuals belonging to nations altogether foreign, or nations co-ordinate with or subordinate to the British, are concerned.

8. I shall consider it with reference to the cases where the property in question happens to be situated anywhere without the limits of the laws of Great Britain.

9. I shall attempt a general sketch of a plan for the collection of the produce: in the course of which attempt, I shall have occasion to advert to the differences that may be suggested by the nature of the property which may come to be collected: to the means of guarding against concealments and other frauds to which the property in its several shapes may be exposed, on the part of such individuals, whose interest or affections may be at variance, in this behalf, with the interest of the public; as also against any such abuses of power and other mismanagements, as the servants employed on behalf of the public in this business, stand exposed, by their respective situations, to the temptation of being chargeable with.

In a sort of Appendix, which those who may find themselves already satisfied with the principle of the mode of supply, may spare themselves the trouble of looking into.

10. I shall defend the proposed institution against every objection which my imagination can represent to me as capable of presenting itself.

11. I shall show that a latitude, much beyond what is here proposed to be assumed, stands warranted by the opinions of the most respected writers.

12. That it is equally warranted by precedent, that is, by the disposition of law in this country from the primitive ages of the constitution down to the present times.

13. Lastly, in the way of supplement to the refutation of the several imaginable objections to the proposed measure, I shall endeavour to give a comprehensive idea of the several effects, as well immediate as remote, that appear any way likely to result from it, considered in every imaginable point of view.

[* ]The matter belonging to the ensuing heads is not all of it included in the present publication. No part of it was sent, the demand for it depending upon the approval or disapproval of the principle of the measure; nor has it ever been thought worth while to work up into form any more than is here subjoined.—Note added in December 1795.

[]Heads of objections, with answers, were sent, in form of a table, and being now printed verbatim, form the matter of one of the ensuing sections.—Note added December 1795.