The Three Pillars of Civilization

Godfrey Dunkley

[A paper presented at the Centennial Celebration of Progress and Poverty,
San Francisco, August 1979]

There are few today who would dispute that change is necessary. If the West is to survive, that change must be orderly. Seldom has the world been so ready for change. As yet it has not committed itself to any particular kind of change, meaning there is ample opportunity still to direct it towards good. That does not mean that there is time for delay as time is on the side of the forces of evil and destruction.

The spectre of human suffering is constantly before us. It is always a result of ignorance about basic laws and the brotherly association of men in society. When man turns his back on Truth and Justice, when the Will arid Love of the Creator and the love of mankind are replaced by greed, separation and selfishness, whatever follows will be ill-founded. Cause and effect become confused. Politicians and economists flounder about in a quagmire of theories, opinions and beliefs that bear no resemblance to true principles. They consequently show no way out of the quagmire.

In the history of colonialism, land was usually taken by unfair treaty or by force. Land tenure in the hands of a few was enshrined in law while masses were and still are exploited: exploited for economic gain under the guise of free enterprise. "Free enterprise", "Capitalism" and even "Democracy", have often been discredited, with the result that few leaders of emergent states are prepared to be seen openly supporting the West. This is easily explained by the history of exploitation now often accompanied by a fruitless quest for basic human rights. In Africa, for example, modern conditions are compared, rightly or wrongly, with people's recollection of a past tribal socialism with an availability of land.

This yearning for access to land has been manipulated by modern socialism with promises of equality and distribution. The West appears to offer no acceptable alternative. Economic conditions under various dictatorships, under socialism or even communist dominance have been no better and regard for life has been infinitely worse.

In Tanzania, Julius Nyerere saw clearly the cause, of poverty as related to land ownership.[1] He may have seen the solution as well had he not mistakenly believed that socialism could correct the situation. After seventeen years of independence Tanzania still has one of the lowest per capita incomes in Africa.

Men today seem unable to free themselves from this web of poverty; destructive forces are set in motion which easily run out of control with disastrous effect. The masses become easily swayed by ideas which would use them to specific ends. Where Governments have been overthrown by violence, conditions for the masses have normally been far worse than before.

Since 1951 in Africa alone 49 nations have been given independence. This has often been followed by violence and war. There have, been at least 40 Coups d'Etat and since 1961 alone 12 black heads of State have been assassinated. There are many wars raging. Africa has not known a single day of peace since independence began some twenty years ago.

Not only in Africa, but almost throughout the world, land lies idle for the want of labour while labour is idle for the want of land. Wherever poverty grinds hardest, ask one question only, namely "Who owns the land"?

Susan George quoted from the F.A.O. Land census of 1960 as follows:

" A mere 2,5% of landowners with holdings of more than 100 hectares control nearly three quarters of all the land in the world - with the top 0,23% controlling over half."

The green revolution has further aggravated the position since then.[2]

Among Jefferson's writings on the subject is this passage from a letter to the Rev. James Madison 1785:

"Whenever there is in any country, uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right."

In desperation men demand human rights and are prepared to take these by force. They do not realize that rights can only be attained by everyone exercising the corresponding duties. Rights may be said to be the negative side of the same coin as duty. When Thomas Jefferson drafted the American Bill of Rights, rights and the corresponding duties were regarded as one and the same; inseparable! In today's world the connection has been lost. The demand for rights merely adds to disruption of law and order with ensuing chaos.

And so the world is heading towards its harvest of Chaos. Where did it all go wrong?

It would almost be a truism to say: "Because too many men wanted something for themselves at the expense of everyone else". This meant sacrificing the rule of simple goodness. The West's threatening collapse has not so much to do with forces from across the sea, but forces from within its own body and soul; forces from across the sea are simply aided by these. So there is no point in looking at the Communists, we have to look at ourselves.

Our hope lies in the general recognition of the need for change. This desire for change indicates a general recognition that all is not well, that there is something better to be attained.

This is an important fact about the nature of mankind.

According to Aristotle "It belongs to the wise man to consider the Highest causes".

Men need to perceive again the true laws of nature, governing man. They need to recognise the foundation on which a stable and happy society may be built; the foundation on which may stand the three pillars of Civilization; Love, Honour and Dignity.

Based on Love; Truth, Justice and Freedom of Worship may uphold Spiritual Wellbeing:

Based on Honour; knowledge and the willing acceptance of Human Rights, may uphold Mental Wellbeing; and

Based on Dignity; the ability to work and support oneself and family upholds Physical Wellbeing.

These three can only stand secure if the acceptance of duty forms an integral part of the foundation along with Social Order.

The quality of society will depend upon this foundation of Duty and Social Order together with the recognition of the "Three Pillars of Civilization" by men of learning and political leaders. A diagram or word picture may be used only as an aid to understanding. Such a diagram which is static attempts to depict the interrelationship between the Three Pillars as outlined and the moral state of any society. Like a tree and its roots, each is dependent on the other. An unhealthy society is a progressive action arising from the denial of basic laws.

Change should start with true knowledge and understanding of the interaction between society and the Pillars of Civilization as depicted; change germinates in the mind of men. This understanding requires an in depth study of the teachings and history of men like Moses, Christ and other spiritual leaders; the writings of Plato and Shakespeare and in the economic sphere of men like Henry George.

If the ultimate aim in life is to consider the highest causes, then all true work should be directed at creating conditions conducive to this aim for all men.

Great work has and is being done by religious men and there are today signs that a spiritual revival may take place. Christianity appears to have gone through a period of restless slumber and is now once more arousing and preparing for action.

Christians from all parts of the world have recently met at the South African Christian Leadership Assembly in Pretoria. Men of all colours and many nationalities mingled freely as brothers with no interference; something new to South Africa.

The message that came across was of concern for the millions of people throughout: the world who are denied access to spiritual teaching through poverty of both body and mind. Dr. Orlando E. Costas of Costa Rica spoke of Latin America as the Christian continent of the Third World, But he also spoke passionately about the 130 million people who live in abject poverty whilst others live in luxury.

Little can be done on the spiritual level without first raising these millions from their mental and physical poverty.

For men to enjoy a full life in today's advanced society they need to be educated at least to the level of literacy. This opens a vast field of scripture, culture and scientific development so that a man may gain knowledge and possibly wisdom.

Bills of Human Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights are noble attempts to alleviate the situation. Without the underlying foundation of duty and an understanding of the cause of poverty the results are usually limited. Everyone ends up trying to take and there is no one to give.

At this level it is necessary to link the three pillars with knowledge and duty. Knowledge needs to be accumulated so that it is available when required. Wisdom is required to bridge the gap between knowledge and understanding, between theory and practice.

Henry George understood all that you have just been reminded of. He set out the knowledge and principles appropriate to his time and place. One hundred years later we have to admit with regret that nowhere is there a healthy living progeny of the seed he has sown.

The need now arises for Henry George's work to be placed in context; to be adapted in time and place to modern local situations. This would be more feasible in the Third World than in the more highly developed Western nations.

If personal contact could be made with certain leaders of the third world it may be possible to adapt land value rating to suit their requirements and fulfill a need. For example, based on the knowledge that Julius Nye displayed in his book "Ujumaa"[1] it may not be too large a step for hi to apply the principles of taxation propounded by Henry George. This could possibly provide the impetus needed to get the Tanzanian economy moving.

Some two years ago a group of students carried out a brief research of economic and tribal conditions in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and submitted a report to various political parties.

The main features which emerged were related to poverty in the tradition or tribal sector of land. These comprise of 42% of the land area and 58% of the population. The major portion of land is freehold and is held by a relatively small portion of the population. Much is withheld from use. In the tribal areas land is allocated by tribal chiefs and there is little security of tenure. Because of this, the tribal land is underdeveloped, often overcrowded and badly farmed. This area only attracts 3% of the total national investment per annum but 40%, of new workers have to be accommodated in this agricultural sector; an impossible task.[3]

The report set out the need for and outline of annual land value taxation as applicable to both freehold land and Tribal Trust Land.

A more detailed study was carried out in Swaziland and proposals were submitted to the authorities.

In Swaziland slightly more than half the land is privately owned, mainly by Whites as freehold or concession title land. This includes some of the best land. Much of it lies idle; held by non-residents and withheld from use. This contributes nothing to the nation's economy.

Two Acts were passed with the intention of bringing idle land into use. These Acts had the effect of causing a stalemate in the property market and made matters worse. Again through lack of security of tenure, tribal land is badly used and not developed.

Copies of the above reports are available for perusal.

The above examples are typical of problems common throughout Africa and the Third World. A dichotomy exists between free enterprise, capitalism, land enclosure and wealth on the one hand and poverty on the other. This poverty is usually related to overcrowded tribal land with little security of tenure, thus little progress.

The blame for poverty is also unjustly coupled to free enterprise rather than where it truly belongs, the enclosure of land and resultant under-utilization. But this dichotomy could more easily be identified and separated in a simple economy than in a complex economy where they appear to be interwoven.

By taxing land directly all idle land would in time be put to use, sold or forfeited. To be effective, a programme of increasing percentages of tax on annual rent or taxable capacity could be set out in advance thus giving natural market forces a chance to adjust the market prices without undue hardship. I believe that an ultimate figure of 80%, should be aimed at. At the same time, this amount payable on annual rent or taxable' capacity should be offset against company or income tax already being paid, with no adverse effect on the existing economy.

In this area there is much scope for in depth studies to be made and change could be brought about in the long term interest of mankind.

SUMMARY

The story "A Memory of Civilization" with which this paper began, is a reminder of the deterioration which has taken place in the relationship of men in society. This has taken place in spite of technological and scientific developments which should have benefitted everyone on earth; in spite of labour saving inventions which should have taken away the drudgery and left man to enjoy a fuller life in the exercising of his God given talents.

The concept of "The Three Pillars of Civilization" has been expressed in various forms throughout the ages. It forms the basis for the economic and social relationship between men.

Man, who is made in God's image, is a caretaker of the earth. This is the Law, and Man's duties follow from it.

Man is a land animal and must have access to land in order to work and develop his talents. This is natural to man and is one of his few rights; most other rights arise naturally when everyone observes his duties in the form of service and catering for the needs of humanity.

"The earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof" "Enjoy, do not covert His property".

The scriptures recognise these basic laws and it was never intended that individuals or nations would claim land or raw materials to the extent of holding the rest of humanity to ransom.

Any conditions which withhold labour from land or land from labour, prevent men from fulfilling their natural function, reduce the total wealth available to society and prevent the peaceful association of men in society.

CONCLUSION

It is given to us to consider the highest causes; to give to the whole of humanity love, honour and dignity; to do all in our power to bring about economic justice for all people.

1. "Ujamaa, Essays on Socialism" By Julius Nyerere.
2. "How the Other Half Dies" By Susan George. Penguin Books.
3. "Land Tax : A new Vision of Free Enterprise for Zimbabwe", by S.W.P. Meintjes.
4. "Land Taxation for Swaziland". by G.R.A. Dunkley .