!!Please note location and access details at the bottom of this post!!
Introducing Progress and Poverty
Repeats three times this term
Thursday, May 30, 5:30 – 7:30PM
Thursday June 6, 5:30 – 7:30 PM*
Thursday June 13, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
In his 1879 masterpiece Progress & Poverty, Henry George proposed to end poverty by recognizing a clear and logical distinction between private property and community property. America took a different path, but Chuck Metalitz (May 30 and June 13 sessions) says George’s proposal is the best way to bring prosperity to the struggling people of America today.
After a brief outline of George’s early life and work, he’ll consider the remedies proposed in our time for poverty, and evaluate their potential to assure that everyone has the opportunity to get a comfortable living. Then he’ll present George’s remedy, which is even more valid in 2024 than it was in the gilded age, and note some of the obstacles to its implementation.
Of course there will be time for questions and discussion.
This single session is intended to provide an overview of what Progress & Poverty covers, and why it’s worthwhile for thinking people to investigate it today. At the conclusion of the session, you’ll be invited to sign up for the complete Progress & Poverty course, but there’s no obligation to do so.
*The June 6 session is presented by George Menninger, who brings practical experience in application of Georgist theory.
Progress and Poverty
Thursdays, June 13 thru August 15, 5:30 – 7:30 PM [no class July 4]
This course is based on Henry George’s book of the same name, supplemented by modern readings, presentations, and some videos. The first class is Introducing Progress & Poverty, then there are eight additional sessions thru August 15. From this course:
- You will learn a method of reasoning that is useful in understanding all sorts of community problems.
- You will know the mechanism by which poverty tends to worsen as the economy progresses, and why programs aimed at alleviating poverty can have, at best, only limited success.
- You will see the inherent contradictions which cause “economic development” programs to fail.
- You will understand the fundamental cause of the ongoing financial crises.
- You will know why similar crises occur repeatedly, every decade or two.
- You will recognize why honest and efficient government, improved public education, and many other desirable reforms cannot by themselves bring prosperity nor end poverty.
- You will have a better understanding of the economic system under which we live.
- You will know how Liberty and Justice are essential elements of any system which works for everybody.
- You will understand and have evaluated for yourself a method of public finance which might end poverty and prevent financial collapses.
Instructor: Adam H. Kerman
Advanced Courses can be arranged upon request.
All of the above events are at Signature Offices, 333 S Wabash Ave #2700, Chicago IL 60604. To register, email us events@hgchicago.org or phone 312 362-9302.
BUILDING SECURITY WILL REQUIRE YOU TO SHOW ID UPON ENTERING. We have no choice in this regard, but if it’s a concern to you, let us know and we will try to arrange a workaround.