Henry George

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Henry George Birthplace

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Henry George

Henry George

Henry George 1897 by Walter Russell

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Henry George Funeral EM McKay

Henry George (September 2, 1839 – October 29, 1897) was an American political economist and journalist who advocated for the "single tax" on land. He is best known for his book Progress and Poverty (1879), which addresses the issues of economic inequality and the ways in which property rights in land contribute to poverty. George's ideas became the foundation of the Georgism economic philosophy, which argues that while people should own the value they produce themselves, economic value derived from land (including natural resources) should belong equally to all members of society.

Early Life

Henry George was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His formal education ended at age 14, after which he went to sea and later settled in California. In California, George worked as a typesetter and eventually became a journalist and editor, engaging deeply with the social and economic issues of his time.

Career and Philosophy

Throughout his career, Henry George developed and promoted the idea that the economic value derived from land should be shared by society. He argued that a single tax on the unimproved value of land would reduce economic inequality, eliminate the need for taxes on labor and capital, and improve economic efficiency. George's philosophy was influenced by his observation of the paradox of increasing poverty amidst technological progress and economic growth.

Progress and Poverty articulated George's economic philosophy and quickly became a bestseller. In it, George explored the causes of wealth inequality and proposed the land value tax as a solution. His ideas sparked significant public debate and led to the formation of several political movements around the world.

Impact and Legacy

Henry George's ideas had a profound impact on the economic and political thought of his time. The Georgist movement, which advocated for the implementation of George's land value tax, gained followers in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. George's influence extended to notable figures such as Leo Tolstoy, Sun Yat-sen, and Albert Einstein, who expressed admiration for George's ideas.

Despite the initial popularity of Georgism, the movement faced opposition from various political and economic interests, and George's proposals were never fully implemented on a large scale. However, his ideas continue to influence discussions on land reform, taxation, and economic justice.

Political Career

Henry George also pursued a political career, running for Mayor of New York City in 1886 as the United Labor Party candidate. Although he did not win, his campaign brought significant attention to his economic proposals and the issues of poverty and inequality.

Death and Legacy

Henry George died on October 29, 1897, in New York City. His legacy lives on through the continued work of the Georgist movement and the institutions dedicated to his ideas, such as the Henry George School of Social Science. George's work remains relevant in contemporary discussions on economic policy, land rights, and social justice.

Selected Works

• Progress and Poverty (1879)
• Social Problems (1883)
• The Land Question (1881)
• Protection or Free Trade (1886)

See Also

• Economic inequality
• Land value tax
• Political economy
• Social justice