Social Problems Henry George 9781117725789 Books
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This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition.
Social Problems Henry George 9781117725789 Books
Henry George (1839-1897) was an American writer, politician and political economist, who was the most influential proponent of the land value tax, also known as the "single tax" on land. His most famous book was the 1879 Progress & Poverty 4TH Edition; this book was written in 1883. He notes, "My endeavor has been to present the momentous social problems of our time... without that abstract reasoning which some of the principles of political economy require for thorough explanation. I have spoken in this book of some points not touched upon in 'Progress and Poverty,' but there are other points as to which I think it would be worth the while of those who may be interested by this book to read that."He begins by stating that "A civilization which tends to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a fortunate few, and to make of others mere human machines, must inevitably evolve anarchy and bring destruction." (Pg. 8) Democratic government can exist only "where wealth is distributed with something like equality... The man who is dependent on a master for his living is not a free man." (Pg. 15) Furthermore, although there are some mental and physical differences between men, "we already have men hundreds of millions of times richer than other men." (Pg. 51)
He states that "the capitalist is a helper, if he is not also a monopolist." (Pg. 57) But George would put no limits on acquisition: "Let him do as he pleases with his own, without restriction and without suggestion. If he gets without taking from others, and uses without hurting others, what he does with his own wealth is his own business and his own responsibility." (Pg. 87) The functions of government should be restricted to those necessary to the common welfare. (Pg. 171) "It is not the business of government to make men virtuous or religious, or to preserve the fool from the consequences of his own folly." (Pg. 173)
He summarizes, "The main source of the difficulties that menace us is the growing inequality in the distribution of wealth... In a society where the equality of natural rights is recognized, it is manifest that there can be no great disparity in fortunes... But, in a community where the soil is treated as the property of but a portion of the people, some of these people from the very day of their birth must be at a disadvantage... Our fundamental mistake is in treating land as private property." (Pg. 194-195) He proposes, "All it is necessary to do is to abolish all other forms of taxation until the weight of taxation rests upon the value of land irrespective of improvements, and take the ground-rent for the public benefit." (Pg. 208)
George's ideas were often viewed as an alternative to 19th century Socialism; and even some modern conservatives (e.g., William F. Buckley) are fans of his ideas---particularly the "single tax" proposal. His writings were ENORMOUSLY popular in his own day, and the fact that he has modern followers (e.g., The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation) attests to the continuing vitality of his ideas.
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Tags : Social Problems [Henry George] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition.,Henry George,Social Problems,BiblioBazaar,1117725782,HISTORY General,History
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Social Problems Henry George 9781117725789 Books Reviews
This book is worth your time. Read the essays in any order, and marvel at the vision of the author in seeing 125+ years ago problems we live with today. Or mourn that he could see so clearly in 1883, and we haven't pursued the wisdom of his clear vision. But this book, along with its sibling, Progress & Poverty (1879, and a new abridgment in 2006 by Bob Drake) can give you new lenses with which to see our Social Problems, and, most important, tools with which to fix what is amiss.
Share this with your favorite young person, and with your elected representatives. Check with the publisher; it is still in print and available from the publisher, if out of stock here.
Henry George (1839-1897) was an American writer, politician and political economist, who was the most influential proponent of the land value tax, also known as the "single tax" on land. His most famous book was the 1879 Progress & Poverty 4TH Edition; this book was written in 1883. He notes, "My endeavor has been to present the momentous social problems of our time... without that abstract reasoning which some of the principles of political economy require for thorough explanation. I have spoken in this book of some points not touched upon in 'Progress and Poverty,' but there are other points as to which I think it would be worth the while of those who may be interested by this book to read that."
He begins by stating that "A civilization which tends to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a fortunate few, and to make of others mere human machines, must inevitably evolve anarchy and bring destruction." (Pg. 8) Democratic government can exist only "where wealth is distributed with something like equality... The man who is dependent on a master for his living is not a free man." (Pg. 15) Furthermore, although there are some mental and physical differences between men, "we already have men hundreds of millions of times richer than other men." (Pg. 51)
He states that "the capitalist is a helper, if he is not also a monopolist." (Pg. 57) But George would put no limits on acquisition "Let him do as he pleases with his own, without restriction and without suggestion. If he gets without taking from others, and uses without hurting others, what he does with his own wealth is his own business and his own responsibility." (Pg. 87) The functions of government should be restricted to those necessary to the common welfare. (Pg. 171) "It is not the business of government to make men virtuous or religious, or to preserve the fool from the consequences of his own folly." (Pg. 173)
He summarizes, "The main source of the difficulties that menace us is the growing inequality in the distribution of wealth... In a society where the equality of natural rights is recognized, it is manifest that there can be no great disparity in fortunes... But, in a community where the soil is treated as the property of but a portion of the people, some of these people from the very day of their birth must be at a disadvantage... Our fundamental mistake is in treating land as private property." (Pg. 194-195) He proposes, "All it is necessary to do is to abolish all other forms of taxation until the weight of taxation rests upon the value of land irrespective of improvements, and take the ground-rent for the public benefit." (Pg. 208)
George's ideas were often viewed as an alternative to 19th century Socialism; and even some modern conservatives (e.g., William F. Buckley) are fans of his ideas---particularly the "single tax" proposal. His writings were ENORMOUSLY popular in his own day, and the fact that he has modern followers (e.g., The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation) attests to the continuing vitality of his ideas.
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