PATTERN FOR A BETTER WORLD in 8 parts| Economic rent, if collected by society, is not a tax because there are advantages of equal value in return. The basic human right, therefore, is for all people to have equality of opportunity to apply their labour to land. All people should also have the right of property in the product of their labour and pay tribute or taxes to none. The only charge is for economic rent etc. to cover the cost of public services. When this is paid, land monopoly and land speculation become unprofitable. Land must be put to its best use in order to earn the public charge, thus ensuring full employment opportunities, at full earning capacity, when taxation also is abolished. |
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1. GEORGIST POLICY
It is generally assumed by economists that there are only two alternative systems available to governments:-
A. Capitalism, which includes private land monopoly and the right to speculate in land, but without a statement to this effect. It also assumes the right of government to interfere in all human affairs, but also without saying so, and
B. Communism, under which governments own the land and the means of production and also control all industries.
This is quite unworkable and has degenerated into various forms of dictatorship by those who have been able to usurp power and thereby divert substantial perks to themselves.
It is never considered that there could be a third alternative which recognises fundamental human rights.
People can only live honestly by applying their labour of hand or brain, directly or indirectly, to the earth, the land of their country, which is the source of all wealth and the field of all human endeavour. Land is provided as a free gift of the Creator, equally to all His people.
People also have a corresponding obligation to pay for the market assessed advantages of their land holding, if any. This value arises from the competition of people for the right of exclusive possession of the piece of land most suited to their requirements. It is generated by the presence and activity of all people in the community and is known as 'economic rent' which is the natural source of public revenue.
PATTERN FOR A BETTER WORLD
Economic rent, if collected by society, is not a tax because there are advantages of equal value in return. The basic human right, therefore, is for all people to have equality of opportunity to apply their labour to land. All people should also have the right of property in the product of their labour and pay tribute or taxes to none.The only charge is for economic rent etc. to cover the cost of public services. When this is paid, land monopoly and land speculation become unprofitable. Land must be put to its best use in order to earn the public charge, thus ensuring full employment opportunities, at full earning capacity, when taxation also is abolished.
The following is a short statement of Georgist policy:
This is the essence of simplicity and is based on the principle that value created by individuals belongs to the person who has created it, and that value created by the whole community belongs to all the people and is the natural source of public revenue.
1. The true functions of governments are to maintain peace and justice. This does not include interfering in national or international trade or commerce, or in the private transactions of the people save only as these threaten peace and justice.
2. Public revenue should be collected as follows:-(a) The unimproved site rental value of land (economic rent) should be the main source of public revenue, supplemented by:-
(b) Competitively assessed royalties on the limited right of exploitation of non-renewable resources (applicable mainly to mining and other non-renewable resources).
(c) Competitively assessed licences on the right of exploitation of renewable resources when necessary to ensure conservation and regeneration (applicable mainly to forestry and marine resources).
(d) Charges for reticulated services, sufficient to prevent waste.
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3. The abolition of all taxation imposed on private enterprise in the production, exchange, investment and consumption of wealth, together with all monopolies, sinecures and special privileges.4. A democratic system of elections by proportional representation (not the Party list system) for all politicians, cabinets, and local government councillors.
5. The restriction of government to functions which are necessary monopolies, in which competitive private enterprise cannot operate efficiently and in the national interest.Note:- Education, banking and health insurance are not necessary monopolies, - moreover healthy competition is essential to ensure the best results.
In a just and free economy, with full employment opportunities and with full rewards for employment, parents could afford to send their children to the school of their choice.
PATTERN FOR A BETTER WORLD
Land price would disappear in a free economy. The land price is now used as security for bank loans and is the cause of injustice and many insolvencies.People have the right to select the doctor and the hospital of their choice. There is no benefit in taxing them to pay for such services.
The Georgist proposals should be phased in over a period but results would be much faster once it is realised there is no unearned income to be made from land monopoly and speculative investment in land.
Copyright © 1996; reproduction is permitted if approval is requested, and original matter is acknowledged.
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PATTERN FOR A BETTER WORLD
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