By direct taxation of income, the government is seeking to achieve what objective?

Direct taxation of income primarily aims to redistribute wealth within a society. This approach is based on the principle of equitability, where individuals with higher incomes contribute a larger amount in taxes compared to those with lower incomes. By implementing a progressive tax system, the government can collect more revenue from wealthier individuals, which can then be used to fund social services, welfare programs, and public education.

This redistribution not only helps reduce income inequality but also provides essential services to lower-income groups, thereby enhancing overall social welfare and cohesion. The focus on wealth redistribution reflects a government's commitment to create a more balanced economic landscape where resources are allocated more fairly among different segments of the population.

Conversely, while increasing public spending, maintaining economic stability, and encouraging saving and investment are valid governmental objectives, they are often secondary effects of the wealth redistribution achieved through direct taxation. These objectives may not be the primary aim of direct taxation itself, whereas wealth redistribution embodies the core rationale behind such tax mechanisms.