Redistribution of income: Identify the policy instrument that directly reduces economic inequality. Context: Consider standard public finance tools used by governments to narrow income and wealth gaps (without changing the numeric data in the original prompt). Choose the most appropriate option that is explicitly redistributive in design.

Given data

• Topic: Redistribution policies aimed at reducing inequality.
• Task: Pick the instrument that directly transfers resources from richer to poorer households.

Concept / Approach
Redistribution is achieved when the effective tax-benefit system shifts after-tax income shares toward lower-income groups. A textbook example is a progressive income tax where higher-income individuals face higher marginal tax rates.

Option analysis
Progressive income taxation: Raises a larger share of revenue from high earners and finances transfers/public services that benefit lower-income groups. This is directly redistributive. Tight monetary policy: Targets inflation and output gaps; redistribution is not its design objective. Laissez-faire deregulation: Market efficiency focus; not a redistributive instrument. Regressive indirect taxes: Typically place a higher relative burden on low-income households; increase, not reduce, inequality.

Common pitfalls
Confusing macro-stabilization tools (monetary policy) with distributional tools (tax-transfer policies).

Final Answer
Progressive income taxation with higher marginal rates on higher brackets.