Let us assume, for the moment, that the arguments for redistribution are more persuasive than those against. Then how would redistribution be achieved? There seem to be only two avenues. The first is through the appropriation of wealth. This has been done several times in history. Henry VIII seized the wealth of the Catholic church in England and kept part for the treasury and redistributed part to his supporters. During the French revolution much of the wealth of the aristocracy was seized by local authorities or looted by the populace.
