Greens vs. Georgists

I stumbled across this great paper today. It is a comparison of Greens and Georgists on social issues.

A quote from the paper:

On ethical theory, Greens and Georgists again differ. The greens show a multifaceted concern for environmental protection and economic equity, but lack a theory on the origin of property rights, whereas the Georgists seem to build their entire ethical system on a particular theory of the origin of property rights. But it so happens that when this theory is applied to taxation, it results in an exceptionally progressive system. More generally, the theory calls for sharing of economic rent, which tends to redistribute income from the asset-rich to the asset-poor. The Georgist theory of equity, being based on property rights, does not set out a priori to take from the rich and give to the poor; but when put into practice it does precisely that, to an extent that even Greens would find impressive. Thus, while the premises are starkly different, the conclusions have much in common.

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Author:Trevor
Date: Thursday, 17. May 2007 21:07
Trackback: Trackback-URL Category: Philosophy, Politics

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