person1865-1897

Henry George

Disciplines:

Summary

American economist and journalist whose Progress and Poverty (1879) sold millions of copies and proposed the land value tax as the solution to inequality — the most successful radical economics book in history.

Core Contribution

The Georgist insight: George observed that economic progress (railroads, cities, factories) seemed to increase land values disproportionately — enriching landlords who contributed nothing to the progress — while leaving workers no better off. His solution: tax the unimproved value of land (not buildings, not labor, not capital) at 100%, using the revenue to replace all other taxes. Land value taxation is economically efficient (land can't flee, it's inelastic, taxing it doesn't distort behavior), redistributive (land value is socially created), and revenue-sufficient. Still the foundational text of the 'Georgist' school; land value tax advocacy is experiencing a revival.

Key Spikes & Highlights

Progress and Poverty (1879) sold 3 million copies in its first decade — more copies than any other book published in the United States in the 19th century except the Bible. George was nearly elected mayor of New York City in 1886, finishing above Theodore Roosevelt.

Notable Works & Achievements

Progress and Poverty

Historical Influences

Adam Smith Ricardo

Intellectual Lineage

American Political Economy 19th Century Reform

Contemporaries & Peers

Karl Marx Thorstein Veblen

Minds Influenced

Land Value Tax Movement Urban Economics Tax Policy

Intellectual Posterity

Georgism Land Value Tax Advocacy Urban Economics

Discussing

Henry George

Ask anything about Henry George — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.

person1865-1897

Henry George

Disciplines:

economics

political philosophy

Summary

Core Contribution

Key Spikes & Highlights

Progress and Poverty (1879) sold 3 million copies in its first decade — more copies than any other book published in the United States in the 19th century except the Bible. George was nearly elected mayor of New York City in 1886, finishing above Theodore Roosevelt.

Notable Works & Achievements

Progress and Poverty

Historical Influences

Adam Smith Ricardo

Intellectual Lineage

American Political Economy 19th Century Reform

Contemporaries & Peers

Karl Marx Thorstein Veblen

Minds Influenced

Land Value Tax Movement Urban Economics Tax Policy

Intellectual Posterity

Georgism Land Value Tax Advocacy Urban Economics

Discussing

Henry George

Ask anything about Henry George — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.