Henry George
American political economist and journalist (1839–1897); argued for a single tax on land values.
At a glance
Main ideas
A single tax on land values, Confiscate rent, not land, Free trade …
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Progress and Poverty, Social Problems, Protection or Free Trade …
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- George was an American political economist, social philosopher and journalist.
- He argued that people should own what they produce, but the value of land and natural resources should belong to everyone.
- His 1879 book Progress and Poverty sold millions of copies and inspired the movement now called Georgism.
- He ran twice for mayor of New York City and died during the second campaign.
Why it matters
- His idea of taxing land values rather than work still shapes debates on housing and tax; economist George Soule called him "the most famous American economic writer".
Key facts
- Born
- 2 Sep 1839, Philadelphia1
- Died
- 29 Oct 1897, of a stroke during his second campaign for mayor of New York City, four days before the election1
- Early life
- Formal schooling ended at 14; went to sea at 15; worked in San Francisco as a typesetter from 18581
- Journalism
- Managing editor of the San Francisco Times; editor of his own San Francisco Daily Evening Post from 1871 to 18751
- 1886 mayoral race
- United Labor Party nominee for New York City; 31 percent, second, ahead of Theodore Roosevelt1
- Chinese immigration
- His 1869 essay The Chinese in California argued that Chinese immigration should be ended1
- Monopoly
- Lizzie Magie's 1904 Landlord's Game, made to show his theories, later became Monopoly1
Main ideas
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A single tax on land values1
Tax the value of land itself, not the buildings and work on it, and drop taxes on productive activity.
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Confiscate rent, not land1
Owners could keep, sell and bequeath their land; society would take the rent: "We may safely leave them the shell, if we take the kernel."
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Free trade1
Tariffs keep prices high, do not raise wages and shield monopolies from competition.
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The secret ballot1
One of its earliest US advocates, from his 1871 article "Bribery in Elections".
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Natural monopolies as public services1
Utilities and transport along public ways should be public and free or at marginal cost.
Books to start with
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Connections
Writes
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Sources
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