Niitamo’s view was disputed by Jouko Paunio, a leading expert used by the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation over many years. Paunio said he saw economics essentially as part of the humanities even though he was himself a member of the O group. An economist should strive for objectivity in his research but economic science is not a natural science.
The first wave of tax reforms under the TRAIN Law, in particular, should help generate additional revenues to finance the Government’s programs. Reforms to encourage tax compliance, improve revenue collections, and plug regulatory loopholes, among others, are also in the pipeline to further strengthen the country’s fiscal position.