Progress and Poverty

Henry George's influential 1879 book, Progress and Poverty, addresses the paradox of increasing wealth alongside persistent poverty. George observed that despite societal progress, the poorest classes did not improve and were, in fact, often further disadvantaged.1

He proposed the single tax as a solution. This economic reform suggested that the government should collect all economic rent—the income derived from the use of bare land, excluding improvements—and abolish all other forms of taxation. George argued that landowners were reaping unearned profits from rising land values, which were a result of societal growth rather than individual effort. He believed taxing this unearned rent would fund public works and promote equality of opportunity. While the single tax was not widely adopted, George's ideas stimulated reform movements and discussions on privilege and economic fairness.12