Progress and Poverty

Progress and Poverty, first published in 1879, was American political economist Henry George's most popular book. It explores why the economy of the mid-to-late 1800s had seen simultaneous economic growth and growth in poverty. The book's appeal was in its balance of moral and economic arguments, challenging the popular notion that the poor were responsible for their own woes through uncontrolled population growth.Inspired by his years living in San Francisco and his own experience with privation, George argues instead that poverty had grown due to the increasing speculation and monopolization of land, as landowners had captured the increases in growth, investment, and productivity. His solution was a single tax on land values, which he argued would eliminate speculation, end poverty, and reduce inequality.Perfect for readers fascinated by the timeless questions of wealth inequality and economic justice, this groundbreaking work remains startlingly relevant to today's debates about poverty, housing costs, and prosperity.