Welcome to the Economic Study Association.

The association is an informal group with an interest in public finance and the development of economic policy. Drawing on the work of Alfred Marshall, J. M. Keynes, Colin Clark and other economists, it has developed proposals for a smaller central state with fully funded public services that do not require the use of high levels of conventional taxation.

Its recommendations are set out in the group’s latest policy proposal document, A New Framework for Public Finance. Comments on these ideas are welcome and can be submitted using the form on the Contact page.

Members of the Economic Study Association have explored the possibility of fundamental economic reform for many years. From its beginnings in 1966, the group was led by its Director, Ronald Burgess. Some of this early work has been collected here, including publications, public talks and recordings. The earlier work provides a commentary on the economy of the United Kingdom in the 1970s and 1980s, when major changes of policy came to the fore, but much of it also sets out original work based on informed investigation, study, and research. Some of the key findings are summarised in the book Public Revenue Without Taxation, first published in 1993.

Once more, the UK faces high taxation, borrowing and government debt. Is there another way?