From The Coming Slavery, 1 part of 4 in The Man Versus the State
Herbert Spencer, 1884

Spencer gives three brief accounts of the effects of overtaxing. Herbert Spencer, a hard-working Briton I presume, expects every individual to work, and (I think) doesn't allow in his writings for competition by united groups. Without reading his entire works, it's hard to be certain; but I doubt he considers the effects of Jews, Catholics of all types, and Muslims of all types. In this extract, Spencer does not consider the possibility that overtaxing can be a deliberate strategy to cause harm, as with bombing, famine, invasion, etc.
- Rerevisionist
If any one doubts that such a revolution may be so reached, facts may be cited to show its likelihood. In Gaul, during the decline of the Roman Empire, "so numerous were the receivers in comparison with the payers, and so enormous the weight of taxation, that the labourer broke down, the plains became deserts, and woods grew where the plough had been."[9]

In like manner, when the French Revolution was approaching, the public burdens had become such that many farms remained uncultivated, and many were deserted: one quarter of the soil was absolutely lying waste; and in some provinces one half was in heath.[10]

Nor have we been without incidents of a kindred nature at home. Besides the facts that under the old poor-law the rates had in some parishes risen to half the rental, and that in various places farms were lying uncultivated, there is the fact that in one case the rates had absorbed the whole proceeds of the soil.
      At Cholesbury, in Buckinghamshire, in 1832, the poor-rate "suddenly ceased in consequence of the impossibility to continue its collection, the landlords having given up their rents, the farmers their tenancies, and the clergyman, his glebe and his tithes. The clergyman, Mr. Jeston, states that in October, 1882, the parish officers threw up their books, and the poor assembled in a body before his door while he was in bed, asking for advice and food. Partly from his own small means, partly from the charity of neighbours, and partly by rates in aid, imposed on the neighbouring parishes, they were for some time supported."[11]

9 Lactant., "De M. Persecut.," cc. 7, 23.
10 Taine, "La Revolution," pp. 337, 338.
11 "Report of Commissioners for Inquiry into the Administration and Practical Operation of the Poor-Laws," p. 37, February 20, 1834

These claims may in fact be untrue, or simplified. Spencer had no idea that finance was a weapon. The Roman collapse coincided with Jewish incursions. The 'French Revolution' is notorious for bold claims, which of course may well be wrong. His poor-law anecdote is too anecdotal for my taste.

Rae West. Uploaded 6 October 2018 or earlier.