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Can't Pay, Won't Pay! - Taxation and Politics

September 15, 2022

Collecting taxes and distributing tax money are core tasks for a modern state. This documentary presents the history of taxation, from the French Revolution to political protest movements like France’s "Gilets Jaunes”.

https://p.dw.com/p/4FcL6
Dokumentation " Der Staat und sein Geld - Die Geschichte der Steuern "
Image: Point du Jour

Can't Pay, Won't Pay! - Taxation and Politics - Part 1

Dokumentation " Der Staat und sein Geld - Die Geschichte der Steuern "
Image: Point du Jour

Taxation has always been a topic of fierce political debate. After the 2008 financial crisis and the austerity policies that followed, voices of protest were heard all over Europe: whether from Brexit supporters in the United Kingdom, the "Gilets Jaunes” (or "yellow vests”) in France, or those disadvantaged by German reunification. These protests highlight a growing mistrust of citizens toward their governments. Tax policy, it turns out, is often a bone of contention.

Dokumentation " Der Staat und sein Geld - Die Geschichte der Steuern "
Image: Point du Jour

Since the American Revolution, with its rallying cry of "No taxation without representation", taxation and popular sovereignty have been mutually dependent. Current protests are a reminder to those in power of this basic rule of democracy. Meanwhile, the protests themselves hark back to turbulent moments in history:
 

Dokumentation " Der Staat und sein Geld - Die Geschichte der Steuern "
Image: Point du Jour



Since the Middle Ages, taxation has led to repeated conflicts between Europeans and their rulers. This two-part documentary follows the trail of these conflicts.



Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

FRI 21.10.2022 – 01:15 UTC
FRI 21.10.2022 – 04:15 UTC
FRI 21.10.2022 – 18:15 UTC
SAT 22.10.2022 – 12:15 UTC
SAT 22.10.2022 – 15:15 UTC
SUN 23.10.2022 – 19:15 UTC
MON 24.10.2022 – 09:15 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 I Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 I Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4

DW Deutsch+

MON 24.10.2022 – 09:15 UTC 

Vancouver UTC -7 | New York UTC -4 | Sao Paulo UTC -3  
 

Can't Pay, Won't Pay! - Taxation and Politics - Part 2

Dokumentation " Der Staat und sein Geld - Die Geschichte der Steuern "
Image: Point du Jour

Is taxation an instrument serving the powerful, or a way to more fairly distribute wealth among the people? Part Two of the documentary looks at the history of citizen protests against "those at the top", as well as demands for taxation justice.



Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

FRI 28.10.2022 – 01:15 UTC
FRI 28.10.2022 – 04:15 UTC
FRI 28.10.2022 – 18:15 UTC
SAT 29.10.2022 – 12:15 UTC
SAT 29.10.2022 – 15:15 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 I Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 I Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4

SUN 30.10.2022 – 19:15 UTC
MON 31.10.2022 – 09:15 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 I Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 I Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +/-0 | Berlin UTC +1 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4

 

DW Deutsch+

MON 24.10.2022 – 09:15 UTC 

Vancouver UTC -7 | New York UTC -4 | Sao Paulo UTC -3