A Look at Rental Value Assessments

by Lindy Davies

There are perennial conversations about the pitfalls of LVT implementation, about assessment procedures and the chronic political problems associated with them, and about the sufficiency of land rent as a revenue source. These issues cause frustration, sometimes, because we lack the resources with which to properly address them; alas, the major research-grant money has not been flowing in. Continue reading

Progress and Poverty

by Emma Lazarus

Oh splendid age when Science lights her lamp
At the brief lightning’s momentary flame.
Fixing it steadfast as a star, man’s name
Upon the very brow of heaven to stamp,
Launched on a ship whose iron-cuirassed sides
Mock storm and wave. Humanity sails free;
Gayly upon a vast untraveled sea,
O’er pathless wastes, to ports undreamed she rides.
Richer than Cleopatra’s barge of gold,
This vessel, manned by demi-gods, with freight
Of priceless marvels. But where yawns the hold
In that deep, reeking hell, what slaves be they
Who feed the ravenous monster, pant and sweat,
Nor know if overhead reign night or day?

Published in the New York Times, October 2, 1881

The President

A novel by John Stewart. Shepheard-Walwyn, Ltd., London, 2008. Review by Lindy Davies.

What a nice thing to see! An impressively laid-out trade paperback with an imposing image of the White House on its cover: a novel about a US President who gets the “location value” bug and turns his citizens on to it! Continue reading

The Silver Bullet

By Fred Harrison. Published by the International Union for Land Value Taxation and Free Trade, London, 2008. Review by Lindy Davies.

Harrison’s latest book, the first publication of the newly-revitalized International Union, makes use of the IU’s “special consultative status” at theUnited Nations by offering the UN some clear, pointed (and much-needed) advice. Continue reading

The $1/day Benchmark Fails to Enlighten

by Lindy Davies

Like many other commentators on global poverty, both Philippe Diaz (The End of Poverty?) and Fred Harrison (The Silver Bullet) frequently refer to the “dollar a day benchmark” for extreme poverty. They do so mainly because the standard is familiar to many people. Unfortunately, though, the $1 per day benchmark is neither well-understood nor meaningful. Continue reading