The Laffer curve is hotly debated among supply- and demand-side economists. Laffer curve literature explores the relationship between tax rates and tax revenues with little consensus among economists. This lack of consensus is because the Laffer curve is based on an incomplete pedagogical theory. Consequently, the Laffer curve literature is inconsistent and often contradictory. The problem this causes for societies is the creation of less than optimal tax policies. The purpose of this study was to explore whether supply- and demand-side approaches could be reconciled by the development of a unifying theory. A grounded theory design used Glaser's ^all-is-data approach to examine literature about the Laffer curve to identify key commonalities and disagreements. Peer-reviewed journal articles and other scholarly sources underwent open (n=220) and axial (n=392) coding. The sources were analyzed and coded into 2,494 memos. The analysis of these memos provided the basis for the theoretical model that emerged. This new model (Min Op model) is based on the concept that the minimization of long-term opportunity costs results in the maximization of tax revenue as explained by the Laffer curve. This emergent model contributes new knowledge about the basics of economic theory, especially the current conceptualization of the Laffer curve. The findings presented should lead to new approaches for studying economic theory that may result in the resolution of disputes among supply side and demand-side economic schools. The Min Op model will encourage positive social change by demonstrating that balancing a market orientation with a distribution orientation in tax policies will result in all members of an economy experiencing optimal social and economic opportunities.