On Henry George's Progress & Poverty

Albert Einstein

[A translation by Bruno Moser of a letter written in German from Einstein
to Mrs. R. W. Evans of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, 1931]

Dear Mrs. Evans!

I have read for most parts Henry George's book with extraordinary interest and I believe, that its main outline represents an indisputable point of view, particularly with regard to the cause of the poverty.

The opinions represented in this book are consistent, as far as I can judge it, with the results of present-day's Professor Franz Oppenheimer, who obviously came the same conclusions independently. However, I do not agree with the Theory of Interest.

In the suggested cure of the nationalization of the land and natural resources I see more of a problem than a solution. For example, is land the property of the community but the house there on private property? In any case, it is of utmost importance that the nature of the evil is clearly demonstrated. Therefore alone, it would be important, if the book would encounter the proper attention.

With high respect,

A. Einstein