Our spring schedule features beginning and advanced classes, three movies, the ever-popular Political Economy Book Club, presentations about agricultural land preservation, wealth disparities and how they grow, walking and bicycle tours. Individual events are being listed under “events” on the left tab of this page, and the course schedule will be under the “courses” tab. Until we get everything posted, the printed schedule can be viewed here, or phone 312 450 2906 if you’d like a hardcopy mailed to you.
(No, that photo isn’t from one of our classes, but it is in our spirit.)
Herbert Spencer, by John Bagnold Burgess (died 1897)
The Political Economy Book Club discusses Parts 3 & 4 of “Social
Statics” by Herbert Spencer (1851 edition). Economist Murray Rothbard
called Social Statics “the greatest single work of libertarian political philosophy ever written.” Spencer argued that the state was not an “essential” institution and that it would “decay” as voluntary market organization would replace the coercive aspects of the state.
Meetings of the Political Economy Book Club are free and open to the public. Wednesday February 19 at 6 PM at 30 E Adams St. #1207. For further information or to let us know you’re coming, email PEBC coordinator Bob Matter or call 312 450 2906.
Since earliest civilizations, humans have recognized that food is a product of farmland (and, yes, pastureland, fisheries, etc) and have managed to cultivate enough land to feed themselves. Yet today we routinely convert farmland to urban use. American Farmland Trust (AFT) seek to ensure continued agricultural use of some land by buying development rights from farmers, and try to make farms more viable by facilitating community supported agriculture. The geoist fiscal reform provides an alternative way to encourage more conservative and productive use of all land. With additional material from YES! magazine about the slow food revolution, this presentation by HGS instructor Bob Jene suggests that an alliance between AFT and geoists might benefit both.
Monday, February 10, 6 PM, at 30 E Adams #1207. Free and open to all. Have you questions, or would like to let us know you’re coming, call 312 450 2906 or email Bob Jene
Here’s a chance to explore where the economy is going with experienced Georgist investor and analyst Bob Jene. He’ll explain HELOC’s, ZIRP, QE and other exotic financial instruments and strategies, evaluate their effects on the economy and in particular on inflation. Discuss some forecasts, too.
By the end of 2014 you may thank Bob for his insights. This session is free, altho if you’ve had good investment results in the past we hope you’ll make a cash contribution to help pay the rent.
Friday January 24, 6PM at 30 E Adams #1207. For information, or just to let us know you’re coming, email Bob Jene or phone him at 312 450 2906.
The Political Economy Book Club discusses Parts 1 & 2 of “Social
Statics” by Herbert Spencer (1851 edition). Economist Murray Rothbard
called Social Statics “the greatest single work of libertarian political philosophy ever written.” Spencer argued that the state was not an “essential” institution and that it would “decay” as voluntary market organization would replace the coercive aspects of the state.
The book may be freely downloaded from here. Parts 3 & 4 of Social Statics will be discussed on February 19, 2014.
If you have previously taken Progress & Poverty, you can supplement these discussions by enrolling in our Human Rights course, a large part of which deals with how and why Spencer radically expurgated later editions of this work. The course starts January 21 per this schedule, and you can enroll here.
Meetings of the Political Economy Book Club are free and open to the public. This one will be Wednesday January 22 at 6 PM at 30 E Adams St. #1207. For further information or to let us know you’re coming, email PEBC coordinator Bob Matter or call 312 450 2906.
Why, really, is the economy sluggish, job opportunities few, labor force stagnant, yet the stock market makes new highs? What is it the 1% (or maybe 2%, or ¼%) have that impoverishes the rest of us? It may not be obvious, and certainly isn’t anything that professional politicians like to talk about, and even knowledgeable people disagree about some aspects. But one thing is certain: You will not understand what is happening to the American economy today unless you know the principles taught at the Henry George School. The most important ones are covered in our Progress & Poverty course; this term you can choose from three sections. Attend the first class without charge, and if you decide to register the cost is only a $25 fee for the entire course including materials.
Or, if you’ve already completed the basic course, why not try Human Rights, a study of the concepts of freedom and justice?
Our winter class schedule is here, and of course all our events including discussions, tours, and movies can be seen by clicking the “events” tab on the left of this page. Detailed event descriptions will appear in the coming days, or call us (312 450 2906) if you prefer to have a printed schedule mailed to you.
image credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via flickr (cc)
Why worry about NSA surveillance when so many of us enthusiastically support systems of taxation that require massive invasion of privacy? What kind of public revenue system would we urge if we really wanted to keep the government out of our affairs? What kind of public benefit (“welfare”) system would we have? How would we fund our medical expenses? And how could corporations, and rich and powerful individuals, be prevented from taking unfair advantage?
Chuck Metalitz will guide an actual discussion of these issues. You won’t be surprised to find that Henry George had answers to questions which hadn’t even been asked in his era, but are critical to our freedom now.
Again we arrive at the season of begging, when nonprofits ask their supporters to send contributions before December 31, in order that they might take advantage of a federal income tax deduction. We at the Henry George School sincerely wish that there was no federal tax on earned income, so this would be irrelevant. But nearly all of us (unless able to hide or bribe our way out of it) are subject to a destructive, poverty-creating tax system. And that system, or worse, will be with us until the fundamental principles of political economy, expounded by Henry George and taught at our School, become widely understood. (Meanwhile, the Henry George School is an IRS-recognized public charity and donations are tax-deductible accordingly.)
You may be aware that we are almost entirely a volunteer-run operation, with the one paid staff member receiving a sub-minimum wage. Recent changes at the “big” Henry George School in New York have further reduced the amount of support we can expect from them, and while our modest endowment has yielded some investment return, we cannot expect in the current environment of “financial repression” to draw very heavily on that source.
We need and appreciate financial contributions from our students, graduates, friends and supporters. As always, you can mail a check or money order to Henry George School at 30 E Adams #1207, Chicago 60603, or donate by credit card. In-kind donations are also welcome, so please let us know if you have something we might be able to use.
This week, even if you’re not in a position to make any kind of monetary or material donation to the School, almost anyone with Internet access can give $5 courtesy of Igive. Just click on this link and register. Igive is a service through which hundreds of merchants (including most of the big ones) donate a small percentage of each on-line purchase to the buyer’s designated nonprofit– which can be the Henry George School. For us to get the $5, you need only sign up by Monday (December 2). If you also purchase something, the donation will increase. This opportunity is available to everyone who hasn’t previously signed up for Igive.
Thanks to all our supporters for a fascinating year, and hoping for more accomplishments in the year to come.
The Political Economy Book Club concludes its discussion of this remarkable work by Henry George, Jr. The November 20 session focuses on the third part, “Propagation of the Philosophy.” The book is in many libraries and is inexpensively available from various sources, or you can read it here.
This meeting will be at 6PM on Wed November 20, at 30 E Adams #1207, and there is no charge. If you have any questions or want to let us know you’re coming, email PEBC coordinator Bob Matter or call 312 450 2906.
Special note: PEBC’s winter term discussions will cover Herbert Spencer’s Social Statics (original 1851/1865 edition, not the 1892 revision)
Originating as a field trip for “Progress & Poverty” students, our Invisible Robbery Tour is now open to all.
See how the community and its infrastructure produce value.
See who collects this value, and how it affects us all.
We’ll stroll about two kilometers, in about an hour and a half. You’ll get detailed, sourced, hardcopy notes, and answers to your questions about how downtown development really works.
The tour is free for HGS graduates and anyone who has paid an HGS registration fee within the past two years, as well as for current donors at the member level. Others are requested to donate $10, which may be done by cash, check or credit card. (Of course you can always donate to the Henry George School; donations of any amount can be done here.) Nobody will be turned away due to inability to pay.
We’ll leave from the Henry George School location, 30 East Adams #1207. Call 312/450-2906 or email if you want any more information.
