John Dewey on Henry George
Charles Joseph Smith
[Reprinted from Land and Freedom, July-August
1941]
Dr. John Dewey, America's foremost philosopher, has written a
Foreword to the new Guide for Teaching the Principles of Political
Economy, published by the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation (See the
Foundation's report elsewhere in this issue). The Guide is a student's
manual based upon Henry George's Progress and Poverty, and in
his Foreword Dr. Dewey has the following to say: Progress and
Poverty is one of the world's classics. While it falls technically
in the field of economics, it is one of the comparatively few books in
that field that link economics with politics, sociology, and ethics,
and, in consequence, it is required study for the student of
government, social affairs and morals, as well as economics.
Domestic conditions have for a long time forced attention to the need
of free access by the inhabitants of a country to land, in which are
included the natural resources of mines, forest and water-power as
well as farms and building-sites. Present international conditions,
the world war included, point with intense emphasis to the fact that
the problem is of equal importance in all questions and issues arising
in the intercourse of the nations of the earth with one another. That
person lives in a dream-world who believes war can be permanently
averted and helpful cooperative relations of the peoples of the earth
established until the question is faced of free access of populations
to the resources nature has provided for the common use of mankind.
Because of my conviction that no person is properly educated today
without acquaintance with the problem and with the solution advanced
by Henry George, I am happy to write this Foreword. Whether study of
the book leads or does not lead a student to acceptance of the views
put forth by George, it will immensely widen and broaden his
understanding of the world in which he lives and equip him to deal
with the menacing problems it presents.
The Guide which is here offered bears on its face the proof that it
is a careful and competent aid to any student who is given the great
opportunity of becoming acquainted with a book which will enable him
to see domestic and international problems in a vitally important
perspective which might otherwise escape his vision.
|