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`Today we live in a world that is divided. A world in which we have made great progress and advances in science and technology. But it is also a world where millions of children die because they have no access to medicines. We live in a world where knowledge and information have made enormous strides, yet millions of children are not in school...It is a world of great promise and hope. It is also a world of despair, disease and hunger ...' Nelson Mandela, 2005
`This association of poverty with progress is the great enigma of our times. It is the central fact from which spring industrial, social and political difficulties that perplex the world, and with which statesmanship, philanthropy and education grapple in vain. From it come the clouds that overhang the future of the most progressive and self-reliant nations'. Henry George, 1879
A hundred and twenty-five years separate these statements. Nothing has changed, except the increasing scale of poverty and the widening gap between richest and poorest, even in the affluent West. This despite the well meaning efforts of philan-thropists, charities, governments and international agencies.
As Nelson Mandela has pointed out: `Poverty is not natural, it is man-made and can be overcome by the action of human beings'. But what action?
The twentieth century witnessed a vast social experiment in which Marxists and Socialists sought to tackle the problem. While they can claim some success in miti-gating the worst levels of deprivation, they failed to abolish poverty. In the former communist countries, Russia, China, East Germany, the gap between rich and poor has again widened rapidly. In more democratic states like Britain and Sweden, the burden of the welfare state is becoming unaffordable when faced with competition from India and China. Is there a way out?
In Progress and Poverty Henry George reveals the cause of poverty, which is man-made, as Mandela says. He shows how a simple tax reform could remove it. This reform could be introduced in incremental stages to allow time to adjust.
Progress and Poverty became a world-wide bestseller and is now available in a new abridged edition, edited for the modern reader. It was very influential in the Liberal Party before WWI and in the Labour Party up till 1931. Here may be the seeds of the Third Way New Labour have been seeking
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Somehow, I managed to buy this without spotting that the edition is abridged. And the editing is at least as annoying as the cover art.
The editor claims to have produced a "thought by thought" translation, cutting George's over-long nineteenth century sentence structures down to size. I have no real problem with that although, given that George was so widely read at the time and was supposed to be rather lucid, I think this shows a curious lack of respect for the modern reader. No, what I find bothersome, is the editor's anachronistic interventions - the owner of whaling ship and a mechanic are referred to as "she" for example. Now, I realise that these might be plausible in a contemporary context but it just sounds ridiculous in the mouth of any writer much before 1960. It sounds like a minor point but, in trying to make George a feminist avant le lettre, the editor merely reminds us that the text is being pushed about by a modern sensibility.
The use of the feminine pronoun is a minor irritant but others are worse. A list of items that Adam Smith regarded as items of capital is footnoted thus, "Smith's original list included two items that do not fit under George's definition of capital. See original text p.47" Since the reference is to the original text of Progress and Poverty, rather than to the Wealth of Nations, this would appear to suggest that the original text contains references to these examples and an explanation of why George disagrees with Smith. You might think that points of disagreement like this would be illuminating but the Bob Drake clearly doesn't. 50 pages on we find another such footnote, "Frederic Bastiat, French economist gave a well-known illustration of interest involving the loan of a carpenter's plane. George's analysis of the fallacies in this illustration is somewhat complex. It is not necessary for our discussion here." So, the editor feels that a passage explaining in detail why one of the classic descriptions of one of the fundamental elements of production is completely wrong is not "necessary for our discussion".
I disagree - when I read a maverick economist who thinks that every other economist is wrong, I want to see as much of his explanation of why everyone else is wrong as possible in order to determine who I think is right.
This is a great book and, given the current state of the economy, I can't believe that no other edition is in print. I suggest you look a little longer than I did and buy the other one
The editor claims to have produced a "thought by thought" translation, cutting George's over-long nineteenth century sentence structures down to size. I have no real problem with that although, given that George was so widely read at the time and was supposed to be rather lucid, I think this shows a curious lack of respect for the modern reader. No, what I find bothersome, is the editor's anachronistic interventions - the owner of whaling ship and a mechanic are referred to as "she" for example. Now, I realise that these might be plausible in a contemporary context but it just sounds ridiculous in the mouth of any writer much before 1960. It sounds like a minor point but, in trying to make George a feminist avant le lettre, the editor merely reminds us that the text is being pushed about by a modern sensibility.
The use of the feminine pronoun is a minor irritant but others are worse. A list of items that Adam Smith regarded as items of capital is footnoted thus, "Smith's original list included two items that do not fit under George's definition of capital. See original text p.47" Since the reference is to the original text of Progress and Poverty, rather than to the Wealth of Nations, this would appear to suggest that the original text contains references to these examples and an explanation of why George disagrees with Smith. You might think that points of disagreement like this would be illuminating but the Bob Drake clearly doesn't. 50 pages on we find another such footnote, "Frederic Bastiat, French economist gave a well-known illustration of interest involving the loan of a carpenter's plane. George's analysis of the fallacies in this illustration is somewhat complex. It is not necessary for our discussion here." So, the editor feels that a passage explaining in detail why one of the classic descriptions of one of the fundamental elements of production is completely wrong is not "necessary for our discussion".
I disagree - when I read a maverick economist who thinks that every other economist is wrong, I want to see as much of his explanation of why everyone else is wrong as possible in order to determine who I think is right.
This is a great book and, given the current state of the economy, I can't believe that no other edition is in print. I suggest you look a little longer than I did and buy the other one
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
This is an excellent and remarkably modern read given it was written 130 or so years ago. My edition is a paperback reprint (2003) of the 1979 edition which has prefaces from previous editions and also a good index and glossary (he uses many classical references - well at least more than the average modern reader like me could cope with without a glossary). I agree with the previous reviewer and can't see that the modern reader needs this abridging at all and so like him I give this 4 stars rather than 5 for that reason. Although not currently in print there is a kindle version of the 1979 edition available for about £3.50 at the time of writing.
George was, by trade, a journalist and worked outside the European or even the US metropolitan intellectual milieu of the time. That said he was clearly not in ignorance of it. I love the fact that he is not afraid of Ricardo, Smith, Mill and others - and takes them to task, and apart, carefully where he considers they have overlooked not understood or misunderstood something. Not being an Economist and writing in frontier San Francisco are only two reasons why mainstream economics seems to have ignored him. He could not and still cannot be placed in a faction, he was neither a socialist (his writings are just pre-Marx in English, though reviewed for later editions post Marx so forgive my use of that word) nor on the side of capital or the rentier class. His ideas are pro-enterprise and trade but are fresh, radical but above all practical and reach to the roots of the problems of political economy even now. Moreover the book is surprisingly PC and readable given it's age and subject matter.
Having become aware of the LVT concept and George's writings articles like the one I have just read on the BBC, [...] by Tom de Castella now irritate me. How an article purporting to be a trot through possible radical solutions to the (UK) housing crisis be written without at least mentioning Land Value Tax, which truly is a radical solution
to that problem (and many others,) reflects poorly on BBC journalism.
This book however, reflects well on the journalist - it shames the economist.
It's worth a quote from the jacket,
"Men like Henry George are rare, unfortunately. One cannot imagine a more beautiful combination of intellectual keeness, artistic form, and fervent love of justice. " Albert Einstein.
George was, by trade, a journalist and worked outside the European or even the US metropolitan intellectual milieu of the time. That said he was clearly not in ignorance of it. I love the fact that he is not afraid of Ricardo, Smith, Mill and others - and takes them to task, and apart, carefully where he considers they have overlooked not understood or misunderstood something. Not being an Economist and writing in frontier San Francisco are only two reasons why mainstream economics seems to have ignored him. He could not and still cannot be placed in a faction, he was neither a socialist (his writings are just pre-Marx in English, though reviewed for later editions post Marx so forgive my use of that word) nor on the side of capital or the rentier class. His ideas are pro-enterprise and trade but are fresh, radical but above all practical and reach to the roots of the problems of political economy even now. Moreover the book is surprisingly PC and readable given it's age and subject matter.
Having become aware of the LVT concept and George's writings articles like the one I have just read on the BBC, [...] by Tom de Castella now irritate me. How an article purporting to be a trot through possible radical solutions to the (UK) housing crisis be written without at least mentioning Land Value Tax, which truly is a radical solution
to that problem (and many others,) reflects poorly on BBC journalism.
This book however, reflects well on the journalist - it shames the economist.
It's worth a quote from the jacket,
"Men like Henry George are rare, unfortunately. One cannot imagine a more beautiful combination of intellectual keeness, artistic form, and fervent love of justice. " Albert Einstein.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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5 reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
This book fills a need that we've had for a long time.
10 April 2007
Henry George's Progress and Poverty: An Inquiry into the Cause of Industrial Depressions and of Increase of Want with Increase of Wealth, The Remedy, written in 1877-79, was the best-selling nonfiction book of its time and remains, as Michael Kinsley wrote in 1987, "the greatest economic treatise ever written." It explains why poverty persists despite technological and political progress, and why economic recessions are still a constant threat. It also provides a good analysis of any number of very modern problems.
But for most modern readers, Henry George's original text is not easy going. It assumes a large vocabulary and includes enough classical references that recent editions have included an extensive glossary of mythological and historical terms. What Drake has done with this modernization is to make George's thoughts more accessible to today's audience, who will find that by understanding them they can much better comprehend the issues that affect the lives of us all.
Several of the Henry George Schools have begun using this book, with very encouraging results.
But for most modern readers, Henry George's original text is not easy going. It assumes a large vocabulary and includes enough classical references that recent editions have included an extensive glossary of mythological and historical terms. What Drake has done with this modernization is to make George's thoughts more accessible to today's audience, who will find that by understanding them they can much better comprehend the issues that affect the lives of us all.
Several of the Henry George Schools have begun using this book, with very encouraging results.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Progress and Poverty
14 Sep 2007
' If ever there was a time when the world needed the wisdom of Henry George, it is now. His classic work, Progress and Poverty, should be required reading for anyone concerned with establishing social and economic justice in a world that seems increasingly characterized by greed. The Drake modernized edition makes George's unique insights accessible to those of us who struggle with the pull of conflicting demands on our time. Even so, I recommend an unorthodox approach to this book. The early chapters demand a level of concentration that might be unusual except in someone deeply committed to understanding the root cause of the growing gap between rich and poor. Therefore, start by getting your passions flowing. Read the "Publisher's Forward." Then flip to the afterword and be stirred by Agnes de Mille's answer to the question: "Who was Henry George?" Her writing is as beautiful as her dance. You may now be moved to tackle the economic theories of wages and distribution, but I suggest deferring for just a bit longer. Read the
last half of the book first. Begin with Chapter 25, "The True Remedy." Once you've read through to the conclusion, the fire in your belly ought to be sufficient to carry you through the fine points of economic argument contained in the first twenty-four chapters. You won't be disappointed. As Bob Drake, Editor, notes in his preface, "Those who pick up this book are likely to share some concern about the problem of poverty; those who finish it may also find some cause for hope....It
was, and still is, a plan for peace, prosperity, equality, and justice."
last half of the book first. Begin with Chapter 25, "The True Remedy." Once you've read through to the conclusion, the fire in your belly ought to be sufficient to carry you through the fine points of economic argument contained in the first twenty-four chapters. You won't be disappointed. As Bob Drake, Editor, notes in his preface, "Those who pick up this book are likely to share some concern about the problem of poverty; those who finish it may also find some cause for hope....It
was, and still is, a plan for peace, prosperity, equality, and justice."
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Are you looking for answers to
28 Jun 2007
Bob Drake's updating and abridgement of Henry George's landmark book on political economy is a pleasure to read. Those who have read the original will re-experience that pleasure. Those who have not yet become acquainted with these ideas will find a smooth entry mode.
Bob's updating started with a thought-by-thought rewrite, which maintains both the flow and the flavor of the original, without the voluminous verbal illustrations and extended sentences that George used. If the original was in the language of the Book of Common Prayer, the new edition is in the language of a contemporary news magazine -- readable, accessible, rich in content.
And, oh, what content! Henry George saw in his day the source of the problems which afflicted our society then and which still plague us today. The Remedy he prescribes is just as relevant today as it was then.
If you say you are concerned about poverty, concerned about the wildly skewed distributions of wealth, income and the power that flow from them, concerned about the protecting the environment from ill treatment by people and corporations who have little incentive to do otherwise, concerned about housing affordability, concerned about wages that aren't sufficient to meet a young family's most modestly defined needs, concerned about urban sprawl and long commutes and large amounts of energy expended on daily transportation, you need to know this book. It will provide you a very different lens through which to understand these problems, and to see how these dots (and others important to most of us) connect. And best of all, P&P not only lays out the nature of the problem, it prescribes the remedy.
This is a very satisfying read, and is likely to change your entire perspective on many of our most serious social, economic and environmental problems. And, interestingly, it does not blame the victim.
Once you've read it, share it with others who are similarly concerned. Until we've enacted this reform, none of the other things we depend on to reduce poverty, sprawl, skewed distributions, etc., can do much good. And once we've enacted this reform, most of them will no longer be necessary.
This is the best route to leveling the playing field and reducing the potholes that impoverish our fellow human beings and ourselves.
Bob's updating started with a thought-by-thought rewrite, which maintains both the flow and the flavor of the original, without the voluminous verbal illustrations and extended sentences that George used. If the original was in the language of the Book of Common Prayer, the new edition is in the language of a contemporary news magazine -- readable, accessible, rich in content.
And, oh, what content! Henry George saw in his day the source of the problems which afflicted our society then and which still plague us today. The Remedy he prescribes is just as relevant today as it was then.
If you say you are concerned about poverty, concerned about the wildly skewed distributions of wealth, income and the power that flow from them, concerned about the protecting the environment from ill treatment by people and corporations who have little incentive to do otherwise, concerned about housing affordability, concerned about wages that aren't sufficient to meet a young family's most modestly defined needs, concerned about urban sprawl and long commutes and large amounts of energy expended on daily transportation, you need to know this book. It will provide you a very different lens through which to understand these problems, and to see how these dots (and others important to most of us) connect. And best of all, P&P not only lays out the nature of the problem, it prescribes the remedy.
This is a very satisfying read, and is likely to change your entire perspective on many of our most serious social, economic and environmental problems. And, interestingly, it does not blame the victim.
Once you've read it, share it with others who are similarly concerned. Until we've enacted this reform, none of the other things we depend on to reduce poverty, sprawl, skewed distributions, etc., can do much good. And once we've enacted this reform, most of them will no longer be necessary.
This is the best route to leveling the playing field and reducing the potholes that impoverish our fellow human beings and ourselves.
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