Oct 19 Sat 10AM: Progress & Poverty (classic) course begins

A Henry George concept expressed in Atchison, KS, in 1902.  Image by Thiophene_Guy via flickr (cc)
A fundamental economic concept expressed in Atchison, KS, in 1902. Image by Thiophene_Guy via flickr (cc)

This Saturday morning class is the classic version,  taking ten sessions (two each Saturday for five weeks) to provide a detailed look at the obstacles to prosperity and Henry George’s recommendations for overcoming them.  Along the way you’ll gain insight into how the economy works (and why it often doesn’t).  And you may be able to obtain college credit (more here).

The course is designed around Henry George’s original Progress and Poverty text, but if you find you lack time to read the entire thing there are abridgements available. There are also small supplementary readings which bring the ideas George expressed in 1879 into the 21st century.  While all the material is posted on-line, you will also receive hardcopy when you pay your $25 registration fee.

There is some reading which you should try to do prior to the first day of class (October 19).  In the original version, you’d read the Preface, Introductory, and Chapters 1 and 2 from Book I. These are all available from this page. You’ll notice there is also a 39-page synopsis(pdf) of the entire book, which you might find sufficient if you don’t have time to read all the suggested pages, or for review. The synopsis is intended to highlight all the essential points.

Another option is Bob Drake’s excellent “thought-by-thought” abridgement and modernization of Henry George’s 19th-century prose.  It’s available in both text and audiobook form. If you choose this option, you’ll want to read the Forward, Prefaces, Introduction, and Chapters 1 and 2.

In addition to whichever of the above you choose, there are just a few pages of supplementary readings, including pages 1-3 of this summary(pdf) and the first two pages (labelled “Supplement Lesson 2”) from this packet(pdf).

While it is always a good idea to pre-register in advance, if you find at the last minute that you are able to attend. please come to the School at 10:00 Saturday October 19, even if you’ve not had a chance to do any of the reading or even if you’re not quite sure that you want to enroll.  All the key concepts are covered in class, all your questions will be answered (or at least responded to), and you needn’t even decide to pay the registration fee until the end of the first class session.