Henry George, whose Progress and Poverty was vastly influential
If you hadn’t noticed, mainstream economics is in a bit of trouble, which is why the ideas of economist Henry George are being explored at an event in Totnes.
Peter Smith, of the Devon Henry George Society, and Jonty Williams of the Husbandry School, will pose the question ‘can an alternative system that treats land as a commons belonging to everyone provide a workable solution to 21st century problems?’
The event Resilience and Land-based Economics will be at the Methodist Church, Fore Street Totnes, on Monday, October 15 at 7.30pm.
Georgist Economics concerns the teachings of 19th Century Amercian Economist Henry George (1839-1897) as set out in his seminal book Progress and Poverty (1879).
His main idea is that inequality of wealth and opportunity stems from private ownership of land and other natural opportunities. The private appropriation of resource rents leads to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer despite the overall growth of wealth in society.
The event is being hosted by Jay Tompt of the REconomy Project which is part of the Transition Towns movement.
The Henry George Society of Devon will be launched with the main aim being education and dissemination of Georgism in this part of the world.
Resilience and Land-based Economics is being held in the Methodist Church, Fore Street, Totnes and starts at 7.30pm. Entry by donation.
