A stupid exchange of views on “Georgism”

I have been in correspondence on another blog with a cowardly commentator who insists on calling himself Anonymous. His postings are as fine a collection of misconceptions and false conclusions about LVT as I have come across for a long time.

He quotes as an authority a Paul Birch, a member of the UKIP, who has written a “Critique of Georgism”. Birch has obviously not gone back to the original source material. There is no excuse for that as it is readily available. Whilst the original texts are nineteenth century and perhaps turgid by contemporary standards there are perfectly good editions of George, in particular, that published by the Hogarth Press.

The title of George’s book is “Progress and Poverty: An Inquiry in the Cause of Industrial Depressions and of Increase of Want with Increase of Wealth… The Remedy”. One can accept his argument or one can put up counter arguments as to alternative causes. If one cannot provide an alternative explanation for the causes then George’s conclusions have to be accepted.

As to George’s “remedy”, the same applies. Having failed to provide an alternative explanation, it is incumbent on the objector to put up an alternative remedy to George’s.

Anyone who persists in their objects after that is complicit in the economic system which has lead to, and perpetuates, the poverty of millions, and in the economic disruptions and misery which result from the economic cycle.