Vanessa Williamson
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social
Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution & Tax Policy Center.
New book! "The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History" (Basic Books, coming November 2025!)
New book! "The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History" (Basic Books, coming November 2025!)
Pinned
Today is my birthday and look what came in the mail... my first-ever copies of my new book!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
Ok this book looks really great
March 10 is the release date of the book that took me 16 years to research and write. Here's the PRE-ORDER page: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Ok this book looks really great
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Such an impt read! Besides enriching his own coffers & those of his cronies, Trump is fundamentally undermining the tax system which “strikes at the very capacity of a democratically elected government to act.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
November 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Such an impt read! Besides enriching his own coffers & those of his cronies, Trump is fundamentally undermining the tax system which “strikes at the very capacity of a democratically elected government to act.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
My book comes out tomorrow so let’s play “What does the news remind me of?”
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
My book comes out tomorrow so let’s play “What does the news remind me of?”
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
Trump's tariffs are always described as chaotic. They aren't chaotic. They are part of a concerted attack on the rule of law.
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
Today, @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social explains how Trump's capricious tariffs and attacks on the IRS are the latest iteration of a long anti-tax, anti-democratic tradition.
The Long Anti-Tax Tradition of American Oligarchy
Throughout U.S. history, oligarchs have fettered the tax power of the state to ensure that the government would be too feeble to rein in their power. The Trump Administration'
lpeproject.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Trump's tariffs are always described as chaotic. They aren't chaotic. They are part of a concerted attack on the rule of law.
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
New from me today! An article at @lpeblog.bsky.social, about Trump's tariffs, Magna Carta, and why opponents of democracy always try to undermine the tax system.
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
New from me today! An article at @lpeblog.bsky.social, about Trump's tariffs, Magna Carta, and why opponents of democracy always try to undermine the tax system.
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
THURSDAY ON TGS! I’m joined by Vanessa Williamson @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social to talk about this former Confederate general, who had three big passions in life: taxes, murder, and racism. Not necessarily in that order.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
THURSDAY ON TGS! I’m joined by Vanessa Williamson @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social to talk about this former Confederate general, who had three big passions in life: taxes, murder, and racism. Not necessarily in that order.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
If I am ever asked about my dream in life, I now know my answer, this is it: for everyone everywhere to be so incredibly tax-pilled
Reading @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social’s new book (linked below) has me so incredibly tax-pilled. I was watching the election results with some friends last night and I kept saying “oh my god it’s all taxes. everything is taxes. how did i not notice this.”
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
The Price of Democracy
An eye-opening history of taxation showing that battles over taxes have always really been battles over democracy itself “A convincing case that we must ta...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
If I am ever asked about my dream in life, I now know my answer, this is it: for everyone everywhere to be so incredibly tax-pilled
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
sound smart about tariffs: buy this book
Here's the relevant backstory (from my new book, out Monday!).
Buy a copy and you, too, can make extremely niche tax jokes!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
Buy a copy and you, too, can make extremely niche tax jokes!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
November 6, 2025 at 9:11 PM
sound smart about tariffs: buy this book
OMG are we actually talking about whether tariffs are for revenue or a trade regulation??!! What is this, 1764?? PAGING JAMES OTIS AMIRITE
November 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
OMG are we actually talking about whether tariffs are for revenue or a trade regulation??!! What is this, 1764?? PAGING JAMES OTIS AMIRITE
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Me: “The fixation on causal estimates is not the appropriate direction social science…What descriptive analysis provides us with are facts. Facts are nouns. Causal analysis gives us contextual estimates. They are adjectives. In the grammar of social science, we should prefer nouns to adjectives.”
November 3, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Me: “The fixation on causal estimates is not the appropriate direction social science…What descriptive analysis provides us with are facts. Facts are nouns. Causal analysis gives us contextual estimates. They are adjectives. In the grammar of social science, we should prefer nouns to adjectives.”
This is the way.
and all I will say is that when @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social's book comes out, you all had better frickin' get it
October 31, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This is the way.
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Per the D.C. CFO, D.C. stands to lose $657.8 million in revenue from the federal tax code changes through 2029 if the city does nothing to decouple its taxes from federal ones.
October 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Per the D.C. CFO, D.C. stands to lose $657.8 million in revenue from the federal tax code changes through 2029 if the city does nothing to decouple its taxes from federal ones.
DC FRIENDS: I'll be at Politics and Prose on Nov. 17th to talk about my new book, The Price of Democracy! Thrilled to be joined by @dorianwarren.bsky.social for the conversation.
5015 Conn Ave
Monday, Nov 17th
7pm
politics-prose.com/vanessa-will...
Come talk 😍taxation and democracy😍!
5015 Conn Ave
Monday, Nov 17th
7pm
politics-prose.com/vanessa-will...
Come talk 😍taxation and democracy😍!
October 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
DC FRIENDS: I'll be at Politics and Prose on Nov. 17th to talk about my new book, The Price of Democracy! Thrilled to be joined by @dorianwarren.bsky.social for the conversation.
5015 Conn Ave
Monday, Nov 17th
7pm
politics-prose.com/vanessa-will...
Come talk 😍taxation and democracy😍!
5015 Conn Ave
Monday, Nov 17th
7pm
politics-prose.com/vanessa-will...
Come talk 😍taxation and democracy😍!
Latest tariff news is of a pattern with private donations for the WH ballroom, seizing a stake in Intel and the politicization at IRS.
Trump is trying to replace the legislated system of taxation for revenue with an arbitrary, personal system of state exactions.
Trump is trying to replace the legislated system of taxation for revenue with an arbitrary, personal system of state exactions.
Trump says he’s increasing tariffs on Canada by 10% after Ontario’s Reagan ad | CNN Business
President Donald Trump said Saturday he is increasing the tariff on Canada by 10% over current levels, further escalating trade tensions over what he called a “fake” ad that featured parts of an anti-...
www.cnn.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Latest tariff news is of a pattern with private donations for the WH ballroom, seizing a stake in Intel and the politicization at IRS.
Trump is trying to replace the legislated system of taxation for revenue with an arbitrary, personal system of state exactions.
Trump is trying to replace the legislated system of taxation for revenue with an arbitrary, personal system of state exactions.
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
This is contemptible and outrageous and unprecedented. Mostly children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Shameful. Hungry at Thanksgiving.
October 24, 2025 at 10:12 PM
This is contemptible and outrageous and unprecedented. Mostly children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Shameful. Hungry at Thanksgiving.
Today is my birthday and look what came in the mail... my first-ever copies of my new book!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
October 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Today is my birthday and look what came in the mail... my first-ever copies of my new book!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
Boarding Amtrak, guy behind me in line griped about the lack of assigned seats. Told him I loved carrying a beverage from home, keeping my shoes on, sitting in a human-sized seat, and then somehow I'm still talking, something about "rolling through beautiful vistas" I'M SORRY MAN I JUST LOVE TRAINS
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Boarding Amtrak, guy behind me in line griped about the lack of assigned seats. Told him I loved carrying a beverage from home, keeping my shoes on, sitting in a human-sized seat, and then somehow I'm still talking, something about "rolling through beautiful vistas" I'M SORRY MAN I JUST LOVE TRAINS
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
The Trump administration's attacks on the Fed, economic data, and the media signal democratic erosion, which historically undermines economic growth and stability.
“Democracy is just good for the economy,” @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social told CNN's Matt Egan. www.cnn.com/2025/09/22/b...
“Democracy is just good for the economy,” @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social told CNN's Matt Egan. www.cnn.com/2025/09/22/b...
September 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The Trump administration's attacks on the Fed, economic data, and the media signal democratic erosion, which historically undermines economic growth and stability.
“Democracy is just good for the economy,” @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social told CNN's Matt Egan. www.cnn.com/2025/09/22/b...
“Democracy is just good for the economy,” @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social told CNN's Matt Egan. www.cnn.com/2025/09/22/b...
I'm quoted here on an issue I've been raising for years now: the dire economic implications of democratic decline.
Business has been painfully slow to recognize the risks --- so it is really, really good to see business reporters covering the story.
Business has been painfully slow to recognize the risks --- so it is really, really good to see business reporters covering the story.
The US economy has a new problem: Democracy is under siege | CNN Business
Some political scientists see a pattern that suggests American democracy is being undermined in real time. The stakes are massive for the US economy and the business world.
www.cnn.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I'm quoted here on an issue I've been raising for years now: the dire economic implications of democratic decline.
Business has been painfully slow to recognize the risks --- so it is really, really good to see business reporters covering the story.
Business has been painfully slow to recognize the risks --- so it is really, really good to see business reporters covering the story.
Are you a recent IRS civil servant? I would like to interview you!
Details below, including my contact info -- or reach out via Bsky!
Details below, including my contact info -- or reach out via Bsky!
September 19, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Are you a recent IRS civil servant? I would like to interview you!
Details below, including my contact info -- or reach out via Bsky!
Details below, including my contact info -- or reach out via Bsky!
"The goal of the federal surge seems to be not to make the capital safe but to let its residents know they should be afraid."
September 15, 2025 at 9:08 PM
"The goal of the federal surge seems to be not to make the capital safe but to let its residents know they should be afraid."
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
No child should feel this way. I’m proud of my city and its families stepping up to protect one another.
“What if they come and take you too?” Kevin asked his mother while getting ready that morning, just before they headed down to the lobby. “Who will we stay with?”
“What if they come and take you too?” Kevin asked his mother while getting ready that morning, just before they headed down to the lobby. “Who will we stay with?”
Some coverage of the federal takeover of DC would leave you thinking the main consequence is National Guardsmen laying mulch.
No. It is masked agents terrifying schoolchildren.
Please read this crucial article from @teoarmus.bsky.social on how DC communities are trying to protect families.
No. It is masked agents terrifying schoolchildren.
Please read this crucial article from @teoarmus.bsky.social on how DC communities are trying to protect families.
They watched ICE detain their dad. Now D.C. neighbors escort them to school.
Immigrant neighborhoods across the District have organized “walking school buses” to shuttle kids to classes during President Donald Trump’s federalization of D.C. police.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
No child should feel this way. I’m proud of my city and its families stepping up to protect one another.
“What if they come and take you too?” Kevin asked his mother while getting ready that morning, just before they headed down to the lobby. “Who will we stay with?”
“What if they come and take you too?” Kevin asked his mother while getting ready that morning, just before they headed down to the lobby. “Who will we stay with?”
Some coverage of the federal takeover of DC would leave you thinking the main consequence is National Guardsmen laying mulch.
No. It is masked agents terrifying schoolchildren.
Please read this crucial article from @teoarmus.bsky.social on how DC communities are trying to protect families.
No. It is masked agents terrifying schoolchildren.
Please read this crucial article from @teoarmus.bsky.social on how DC communities are trying to protect families.
They watched ICE detain their dad. Now D.C. neighbors escort them to school.
Immigrant neighborhoods across the District have organized “walking school buses” to shuttle kids to classes during President Donald Trump’s federalization of D.C. police.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Some coverage of the federal takeover of DC would leave you thinking the main consequence is National Guardsmen laying mulch.
No. It is masked agents terrifying schoolchildren.
Please read this crucial article from @teoarmus.bsky.social on how DC communities are trying to protect families.
No. It is masked agents terrifying schoolchildren.
Please read this crucial article from @teoarmus.bsky.social on how DC communities are trying to protect families.
If or (dare to hope) when we rebuild our government, we will need to think about not just the social and economic goals we want to achieve, but what the structure of our new institutions conveys about what government is and should be.
September 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
If or (dare to hope) when we rebuild our government, we will need to think about not just the social and economic goals we want to achieve, but what the structure of our new institutions conveys about what government is and should be.