trickle-down theory

The basic principle of trickle down theory is that if top income earners have more money, they will invest their money in businesses that will produce goods at lower prices and employ more people.  The principle tenet of the theory is that economic growth flows from the top to the bottom.

The basic policies promoted by trick down theory have been reductions in the corporate net income taxes, lowering of the top individual tax brackets, and reductions (and eventual elimination) of the capital gains taxes.

The debate over the basic theory has taken many forms and been called other names, such as supply side economics (in the 1980s) and the horse and sparrow theory (in the 1890s).  In the 1930s during the Depression, it came known as the "trickle down theory."

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