For information regarding this focus group click here, where you can also request an invitation. Attendance is limited and confirmed reservations will be required.
In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville and Gustave de Beaumont were sent by the French government to study the American prison system. In his later letters Tocqueville indicates that he and Beaumont used their official business as a pretext to study American society instead. They arrived in New York City in May of that year and spent nine months traveling the United States, studying the prisons, and collecting information on American society, including its religious, political, and economic character.
Democracy in America was one of the products of this trip. It’s available in several translations, some free such as this one and this one, also free in audio format. On March 29, the Political Economy Book Club will discuss volume 1.
PEBC meetings are free and open to everyone who has read and wishes to talk about the book under discussion. Convenor Bob Matter appreciates an RSVP if possible.
Recent books by Scott Baker and Tom Tresser (ed) assert that America is not Broke and Chicago is not Broke. They’re right, of course, and neither is Illinois. Using principles outlined by Henry George, this presentation will show how the community could choose to collect the value it creates, funding its needs without discouraging productive work.
Recent books by Scott Baker and Tom Tresser (ed) assert that America is not Broke and Chicago is not Broke. They’re right, of course, and neither is Illinois. Using principles outlined by Henry George, this presentation will show how the community could choose to collect the value it creates, funding its needs without discouraging productive work, and without burdening the earning power of the most needy.
This is an update of material originally presented in May of this year. While subsequent developments have transferred some of the economic distress from governments to citizens, there is no indication that the politicians or other interest groups involved admit any understanding of the fundamental economic principles described here.
Recent books by Scott Baker and Tom Tresser (ed) assert that America is not Broke and Chicago is not Broke. They’re right, of course, and neither is Illinois. Using principles outlined by Henry George, this presentation will show how the community fails to collect its legitimate earnings, instead placing barriers against productive work and making it unnecessarily difficult for working people to earn a living.
This is an update of material originally presented in May of this year. While subsequent developments have transferred some of the economic distress from governments to citizens, there is no indication that the politicians or other interest groups involved admit any understanding of the fundamental economic principles described here. Without this understanding, even honest government couldn’t put Illinois on a path to prosperity and freedom.
This Henry George School presentation is sponsored by the Chicago Ethical Humanist Circle, is free and open to the public. The Library is three blocks from the Western Brown Line CTA station.
Henry George School photo of a gentrifying area by Chuck Metalitz
Cook County isn’t broke either. Neither is Chicago.
In this session you will learn about the legitimate earnings that our communities generate every day, and how collecting these earnings would allow removal of barriers to productive work which make it unnecessarily difficult for working people to earn a living.
There’s plenty of waste and fraud throughout government, but that’s not the focus here. Even an honest and efficient government requires revenue, and the source of that revenue determines whether we can have prosperity and freedom, or — something else.
PREREGISTRATION MANDATORY. This program is free, but due to building policies you must pre-register by email or by phoning us at 312 450-2906.
Henry George School photo of a gentrifying area by Chuck Metalitz
Cook County isn’t broke either. Neither is Chicago.
In this session you will learn about the legitimate earnings that our communities generate every day, and how collecting these earnings would allow removal of barriers to productive work which make it unnecessarily difficult for working people to earn a living.
There’s plenty of waste and fraud throughout government, but that’s not the focus here. Even an honest and efficient government requires revenue, and the source of that revenue determines whether we can have prosperity and freedom, or — something else.
PREREGISTRATION MANDATORY. This program is free, but due to building policies you must pre-register by email or by phoning us at 312 450-2906.
Because it’s important for concerned people to understand the basis of Henry George’s proposal, we have a special offer for college and graduate students in economics, public policy, and related fields. A generous supporter of the Henry George School will pay you $40 to participate in this two-hour program (90 minute presentation plus 30 minutes of discussion and questionnaire). You must bring your school identification card. If you are concerned about the causes of poverty you will find this presentation to be of interest. The session is also open to faculty.
Checks will be mailed. Henry George School reserves the right to limit the number of attendees.
Bob Matter’s Political Economy Book Club is reading Jack London’s dystopian novel The Iron Heel. On June 25 we’ll discuss chapters 1-13, and on July 23 chapters 14-25. This 1908 text is available free from Project Gutenberg, in hardcopy from some public libraries, or as an audiobook. You can buy used hardcopies for < $10 from severalvendors.