John: The laws and conditions of the Production of wealth are physical truths. There is nothing optional or arbitrary in them. It is not so with the Distribution of wealth. That is a matter of human institution solely. The things once there, mankind, individually or collectively, can do with them as they like. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Issue #121
Teaching Henry George via Correspondence
by Helena Platkin
Some time ago I answered a call for volunteers and found myself in the correspondence course department. What a fascinating adventure It turned out to be! Continue reading
The Top Ten Problems with “Corporate Personhood”
1. Corporations never die, never pay estate taxes, never divide their wealth among succeeding generations. In this they resemble medieval Churches that agglomerated over many years so much land they threatened the state itself. Continue reading
Economics is Easy — Once You See the Trick
by Lindy Davies
Last week, we found ourselves in between washing machines, the old one having died before the replacement arrived. So, when the laundry piled up, I drove 20 miles into town. To be honest I wasn’t upset about this. I had some correspondence-course lessons to read and grade while I waited. Continue reading
We Can’t Afford to Go On Like This
Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet, by Bill McKibben, 2010, St. Martins, and Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power by Rachel Maddow, 2012, Crown. Review by Lindy Davies Continue reading
Georgism and Normative Economics
by Lindy Davies
The question of positive vs. normative economics — in other words, of whether moral questions have any place in economic analysis — used to be a laugh line in my Fundamental Economics classes. These neoclassical guys… they say economists should never use the word “should”! Continue reading
Corporations, Democracy, and the US Supreme Court
by Mason Gaffney
On Jan. 21, 2010 our High Court shocked Americans by ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission that a corporation may contribute unlimited funds advertising its views for and against political candidates. Continue reading
Time to Jump In to Social Media!
by Jacob Shwartz-Lucas
In the first televised debate between Nixon and Kennedy in 1960, Kennedy appeared rested, clean-shaven, tan; he even wore makeup. Nixon looked tired, unshaven, and refused makeup. His gray suit compared poorly on screen with Kennedy’s dark suit. Continue reading
Is UK LVT Support Nearing the Tipping Point?
by Dave and Heather Wetzel
A number of organisations and many individuals are involved in promoting an annual Land Value Tax (LVT) in the United Kingdom, and it seems our efforts are having some effect on economic and political thinking. Continue reading
Cautious Optimism
by Lindy Davies
In the United States, our Great National Hoopla is finally over, and the political landscape is largely as it was before all those billions were spent. I suppose we should be grateful for the unprecedented economic stimulus given to radio and television stations. Continue reading