How I made a million dollars in Chicago real estate: I $tole it from you!

image credit: Ken Lund via Flickr (cc)

Successful land speculation is really a matter of capturing for yourself the gains that belong to the community.  George Menninger is one of many who have done it.  Far beyond any need to earn a living, George now spends some of his time explaining how the bad public policy he exploited not only made him rich, but led to continued poverty, unemployment, and even the current economic meltdown. Come to ask him why he does this and whether he is a traitor to the 1%.

George’s talk, on Wednesday January 18 at 6 PM, is also the first session of our Progress & Poverty course (modern version), which will continue on Wednesdays thru February 15.  As with all our courses, the $25 registration fee need not be paid until the end of the first session, and George Menninger will provide a personal and accessible explanation of Henry George’s ideas. You can pre-register here, or just show up.  You are also welcome to attend just this session; there is no obligation or expectation that everyone attending will enroll.

After the Crash course begins Tuesday

image credit: Todd Mecklem via Flickr (cc)

Traditional Henry George School classes, including Progress & Poverty, help us comprehend how an economy based on justice would never crash the way ours has over the past few years. But now that we’re in a mess, how do we get out?

After the Crash extends and applies Henry George’s analysis to the problem of today: How to help the economy recover and improve opportunity for productive work. The text is Mason Gaffney’s book of the same name, a copy of which is included in the $25 registration fee. Bob Jene is the instructor.   Class meets Tuesdays, 6 PM, January 10 thru February 28, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. You can use this form to pre-register, or just show up.

April 16 Monday: What has religion to do with political economy?

image credit: Fergal of Claddagh via flickr (cc)
image credit: Fergal of Claddagh via flickr (cc)

We call this course Economics as if God Cared.

The United States has no formal established church, yet matters of religion keep popping in political campaigns. What has the Judeo-Christian-Muslim religious tradition to do with questions of political economy?

One perspective is to ask how “God” advises us to organize our economic life. According to John Kelly (who created this course) and John Kuchta (who teaches it), the Old and New Testaments give clear directions about how communities and nations should treat landownership, debt, and taxes, to assure both justice and lasting prosperity. The course deals not only with religion and philosophy, but also with actual historical evidence.  This term we offer Economics as if God Cared on Fridays at 6 PM, beginning January 13 and continuing each Friday thru February 6, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. As for all our classes, a $25 registration fee covers the entire cost of the course.  You can pre-register here, or just show up.

 

Winter 2012 begins at the Henry George School

Gateway to the Beach Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon
United States Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program office, Michigan Sea Grant Extension, Carole Y. Swinehart

This term we’ll offer four courses in seven sections, including our first south suburban class in decades (Progress & Poverty at the Blue Island Public Library.) The schedule includes links to the course descriptions. As always, each course requires only a $25 registration fee, and you’re welcome to sit in on the first session before deciding to make the modest investment.

In addition to classes, we have a range of free events including Bob Jene’s review, from a Georgist perspective, of the economic proposals of the Republican Presidential candidates.  Dr. Strangelove will kick off our Saturday movie series on January 21, and there will be a number of other new and/or revised presentations during the term. These will be posted on the events list, among other places.

Wednesday: The Political Economy Book Club reads Adam Smith

Credit: Kris Krug via Flickr (cc)

An inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, generally referred to by its shortened title The Wealth of Nations, is the magnum opus of the Scottish economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith. First published in 1776, it is a reflection on economics at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and argues that free market economies are more productive and beneficial to their societies. The book is a fundamental work in classical economics. Henry George disputed some of Smith’s reasoning, but described him as the “founder” of the science of political economy.

This session will discuss the first half of Book I.

Political Economy Book Club meets 6 PM Wednesday, December 14, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. Free, donations, welcome.

Poverty will end when people think

Intelligence Awakening Mankind
Image at Rockefeller Center, NYC. Photo credit: WallyG via Flickr (cc)

[The following, originally posted in December, 2011, remains relevant and has received minor edits.]

The mission of the Henry George School is to make available to everyone an education in political economy and social philosophy, based primarily on the works of Henry George. Anyone who understands George’s ideas knows the cause of poverty, and knows what must be done to eliminate it.

But progress depends on widespread knowledge, and our School has very limited resources for making people aware of what we offer. With one exception (who earns a sub-poverty wage), everyone working for the School is a volunteer. Past and present supporters provide us enough for rent, supplies, and very minimal advertising. Additional help is needed to improve the manner in which our message is presented, and make it more broadly known.

December is the traditional time for making monetary donations, and the Henry George School welcomes contributions of any amount. We are recognized as a 501/c/3 charitable organization, so donations can be tax-deductible, and donors can be formally recognized by our membership program(pdf). Donations can be made by credit card, or by check mailed to the School (Henry George School, 30 E Adams St. #1207, Chicago 60603). Although we do not maintain a corps of smooth-talking gift planners devoted to estate planning matters, we are able to assist in setting up tax-advantaged gifts for those who may be in a position to participate in them.

In addition to monetary donations, we solicit the assistance of volunteers in all aspects of our work. Help is needed with promotion, design, office operations, archives, and all kinds of special projects.  Just let us know what you might like to do.

False Choices: Why a sound plan for economic recovery would not raise taxes, not cut government services, and not increase debt

Photo Credit: Cycloru via Flickr (cc)

“Responsible” politicians and pundits say that we face a tradeoff among higher taxes, reduced government services, and more public debt, lest current trends lead to ruinous inflation resulting in all three.  Those aren’t the only choices, and certainly not the best ones, asserts HGS instructor Chuck Metalitz.  Raising taxes on production leads economies to a downward spiral, but shifting taxes off of production can bring prosperity while raising needed revenue. And if public debts have become too big to pay, then perhaps it is best not to pay them.  The problem is that holders of privilege largely escape taxation, while keeping the rest of us ignorant of the fundamentals of political economy.

Tuesday,  December 13, 6 PM at 28 E Jackson #1004.  Free, donations welcome.

What the Rich Own…

image credit: Penywise at Morguefile

…and how they can be made to share it.

Attempts to “tax the rich” have led us to exempt about half the population from paying federal income tax, while creating all kinds of other levies that discourage production while falling heavily on working people.  But if we look at who “the rich” really are, and where most of their income originates, we see that, rather than focusing on the amount of a person’s income, we could instead look at the source. Producing goods or services that people want– that increase the overall satisfaction in the community– is fundamentally different from securing, protecting, and manipulating privilege.  Chuck Metalitz will explain what privilege is, how it causes wealth to be concentrated in a small part of the population, and what could be done about it. 6:00 PM at 28 E. Jackson #1004.  Free, donation welcome.

Last chance this year for Progress & Poverty

photo credit: kenfagerdotcom via flickr

Our last Progress & Poverty course of 2011 is an afternoon class, starting Thursday, Nov 17, 2:30 PM, at 28 E. Jackson. This is the modern version, just five class sessions to understand the nature of wealth and the principles which determine who gets it– and who doesn’t.

Instructor for this section will be Bob Jene. As always, you’re welcome to sit in on the first session before deciding whether to register and pay the $25 fee.  The fee covers the entire course and includes a double-money-back guarantee.  You can pre-register here.  Call or email if you have questions.

Of course we’ll teach Progress & Poverty again starting in January.