On the Progress of the Georgist Movement

S. Vere Pearson

[This is a summary of remarks made at the home of Anna George de Mille on 24 March 1939, recorded by Margery Warriner. Reprinted from The Freeman, May, 1939]

I had been afraid that the movement on the whole had gone back, the reasons being that (judged by wisdom after the event) we had not clearly and at all times exposed: the fallacies of socialism; we had been tied to the political parties too much; and we had not given to the groups which were trying to spread our philosophy that individual freedom which we preached.

Everywhere socialism in some form is sweeping the world; it is labelled in one country Fascism, in another Communism, in another New Dealism, in another Labor. However high may be the ideals some Socialist groups follow, at is well always to make it clear that Georgists are anti-Socialists.

Further, always associate the collection of the community's ground rent with the abolition of taxes. I myself have ceased, as far as I can, to talk about the land question. We in England live in a country of nearly 80% town dwellers. When they hear the land question mentioned these town dwellers immediately close their ears, believing that this applies to agricultural and other rural pursuits and that it does not concern them. Moreover, the generation of today is very apt to believe that the land question was raised early in this century by the Liberal politicians of that day and that it led to no freedom or prosperity.

As a consequence of these sentiments, I had held somewhat aloof from the School sponsors at home and in America because I thought they too were step-by-steppers, and I did not know until arriving in New York that you were by no means step-by-steppers. I admire the vigor you show. I believe you are working along right lines. Your Director fortunately does not suffer from the faults of some other prominent Georgists -- he encourages new workers to collaborate in the work of the School and delegates such work to those who are keen and capable.

I have always believed in the Socratic method of teaching. I have not the patience which I believe many of your teachers have, but I have been particularly pleased to discover their tolerance and patience, I feel sure, too, that the School is well-guided in avoiding the establishment of an organization and in keeping away from party politics. I am quite certain that in England many of our ablest men in the Georgist movement have been handicapped by having to tow the line with a political party. Progress can come only by gaining more knowledge. In the chaotic condition in which the world now finds itself, it is the economic truths which you are emphasizing so clearly which we want to spread. In a word, progress will come by education, education, education.

I have been much encouraged in meeting Will Lissner, who commented on my book "The Growth and Distribution of Population" (which unfortunately is now out of print) as being one of the few books written this century dealing with present problems purely from the Georgist point of view. It may interest you to know that I expect a new book on "Swollen Cities" to appear within a fortnight, and I have some hope that an American edition may be forthcoming. I have also recently been engaged with an American Georgist in studying conditions in Jamaica, with a view to collaborating with her in bringing out a book about conditions there.