Henry George’s main argument in Progress and Poverty is that socioeconomic inequalities were caused by unequal land distribution, and not the result of scientific and technological progress. He states that “the unjust and unequal distribution of wealth” (George 42) is not inevitable, despite beliefs that inequality simply increases as progress advances. Instead, he describes this phenomenon as becoming greater in the future unless something is done about it in the present. He believes the solution to be increasing taxes on land so that they become more equitable. This is what he believes will reduce the economic gap, and make society more stable overall. If nothing is done about it, he believes that society will revert back to a state of barbarism.
George presents in argument using moral terminology, to highlight how present conditions are essentially immoral and counter to natural rights. He claims that poverty “pinches and embrutes men” (43), that it is a type of “manifold evil” (43) that denies justice. This sets up his argument as being ethical and moral, and this is the main motivating factor as to why a solution is needed. He also refers to the Declaration of Independence, particularly the part that emphasizes all persons are created equal, which provides him with a philosophical framework for his proposal.
George’s main belief is that the right to equality is denied when the equal right to land is also denied, and that this is “the truth that we have ignored” (44). Without equal rights to land, poverty is created, especially as the population increases over time. With population increases, the problem of poverty is compounded, as there is less land availability for everyone. Thus, poverty is not created as the natural extension of progress, as was the prevailing belief at the time. Instead, land inequality stands in the way of progress, because the more poverty that exists, the more disparity is created. Disparity will wear down a government system, as there will be instability that could derail progress.
George concludes by describing how a lack of liberty will inevitably strain a republic, and that liberty is necessary for a healthy government. The lack of liberty he perceives to exist is the right to land, and that the commodification of land has resulted in a system where not all persons have access to land. He describes how liberty is often honored as a concept, but that it has been ignored in regard to governance. To use modern terminology, he essentially criticizes how liberty has become a form of buzzword: that society speaks of liberty’s virtue, but does not actually practice liberty. George equates liberty with justice, and he says when liberty is ignored, justice is also ignored.
Overall, Progress and Poverty uses emotional appeal and reason to support his argument for land redistribution. The essay uses numerous appeals to morality in order to create support, while also implying that a lack of policy toward land redistribution will inevitably lead to the fall of the republic. This creates an argument that urges its audience to do the moral thing, or face a situation that will become a much worse, which is a way of inciting fear. George then outlines his argument that land inequality has created poverty, and that disparity is not the natural result of progress, but rather the suppression of natural rights. The specific natural rights being denied are liberty and justice. He then closes with presenting the pursuit of liberty as our societal duty. The essay therefore presents progress as having numerous benefits, but only if the problem of socioeconomic disparity is resolved. Otherwise, progress will not resolve these issues on its own, and will actually revert to a barbaric state.
- George, Henry. “Progress and Poverty.” In Voices of Freedom. W.W. Norton, 2017.
