Excise Taxation and the Origins of Public Debt
Excise Taxation and the Origins of Public Debt is a historical study of Britain’s fiscal development from the 1640s through the Financial Revolution of the 1690s. D’Maris Coffman examines the introduction of excise taxes, the emerging defence of the tax state, and the later acceptance of extensive public borrowing and taxation.
At a glance
- Revisits the introduction of excise taxation in Great Britain during the 1640s and its constitutional and political context.
- Connects fiscal innovations during the Civil Wars and Interregnum with the later development of Britain’s fiscal state.
- Discusses William Petty’s Treatise on Taxes and the development of arguments defending taxation.
- Examines why eighteenth-century Britons accepted high public borrowing and a heavy tax burden.
Reference price: $109.99
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Focused historical account links early excise taxation to later public debt and the Financial Revolution.
- The description identifies manuscript and print sources as part of the study’s research basis.
- Addresses the political and constitutional difficulties of imposing excise taxation, not only its fiscal effects.
Cons
- Its subject is a specialized period in British financial history, so it may be too narrow for readers seeking a general introduction to taxation.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |
|---|---|
| Publication date | January 1, 2013 |
| Edition | 1st ed. 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 262 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1349475645 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1349475643 |
| Weight listed | 12 ounces |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers of British history, economic history and the history of public finance.
- Researchers interested in taxation, public debt, the Civil Wars and the Financial Revolution.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a contemporary guide to tax law or personal tax planning.
- Readers seeking a broad survey of taxation across countries or historical periods.
Frequently asked questions
What period does this book cover?
The description focuses on the introduction of excise taxation in Great Britain in the 1640s, fiscal change through the Civil Wars and Interregnum, and the Financial Revolution of the 1690s, with discussion of eighteenth-century public borrowing and taxation.
Is this a practical guide to current tax rules?
No. The supplied description presents it as a historical study, not a guide to present-day tax law or personal tax planning.
What is the listed print length?
The listing gives a print length of 262 pages.
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