A lot of the ails mentioned in the article seem to arise from Western societies' preference on income taxation vs property taxation.
Low property taxes force the governments to finance its expenditures mainly through sales and income taxes. The former are optional, the latter happen to penalize those who elect to participate in the workforce (which large property owners can safely sit out).
Low property taxes force the governments to finance its expenditures mainly through sales and income taxes. The former are optional, the latter happen to penalize those who elect to participate in the workforce (which large property owners can safely sit out).