Alazar Kebede

Few ideas have cast as long and troubling a shadow over economic thinking as Social Darwinism. Emerging in the late nineteenth century, Social Darwinism applied the language of biological evolution particularly the notion of “survival of the fittest” to human societies and economies. According to this worldview, inequality was not a social failure but a natural outcome of competition.

In an era of volatility, geopolitical conflict, climate shocks, supply-chain disruptions, rapid technological change, and political polarization, headlines announcing steady GDP growth can sometimes feel surreal. Policymakers tout resilience, economists cheer the prospect of a soft landing, and markets respond with optimism. Yet the steady rise in GDP during periods of obvious instability raises an important question: are we mistaking economic motion for genuine stability?

Tax collection is essential for any government to generate revenue and fund public services. However, when tax collection mechanisms become overly complicated or burdensome, they can hinder economic growth, create inefficiencies, and encourage tax evasion. One such issue that has become a growing concern in many countries is the excessive number of checkpoints for tax collection.