Written in 1879, Progress and Poverty examines the paradox of growing wealth alongside increasing poverty during a time of rapid industrialization. George argues that the root cause of inequality lies in the private ownership of land, where landowners benefit disproportionately from society’s progress, leaving the poor behind. He critiques both capitalism and socialism, proposing a bold solution: the “Single Tax” on land values. This tax would replace other taxes, redistributing wealth more fairly by ensuring that the value derived from land benefits everyone. George’s work offers a timeless vision for economic reform, advocating for a system where the wealth created by land is shared for the common good.
