Taxing the Rich in American History

Come to the EBDSA office or tune in on Zoom at 6 pm on Wednesday, September 16, to hear a talk on the vibrant history of progressive taxation by author and tax expert Vanessa Williamson. Williamson’s recent book, The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History (Basic Books, 2025), is a political history of the United States from colonial times through the present, filtered through the understanding that every consequential issue the nation has faced includes a tax dimension. Taxes are fundamental to democracy, and progressive taxes essential to an inclusive democracy. You will never think of American history the same way again after reading The Price of Democracy.

After her presentation, Dr. Williamson will take questions. Following the Q&A you will have the opportunity to sign up for a reading group on her book co-sponsored by the East Bay’s DSA Tax the Rich Working Group and Political Education Committee. You will also hear about the latest exciting developments in the California DSA campaign to pass Propositions 3 and 40 in the November statewide election.