Georgism is modernizing to become more relevant. Not in the sense that the Georgist philosophy itself is any less relevant than before — in this sense it is more relevant than ever. Artificial economic growth balanced atop teetering mortgages, wealth inequality that’s primarily a result of real estate prices, the unjust, inefficient use of physical space, the ease with which labour & capital flee from its unjust taxation, and tax systems that hold back the economy’s potential are among some of current issues which Georgist policy addresses better than any other. However, Georgism as a relevant force in the media and mainstream political sphere, is showing green shoots. It is modernizing in the sense that there are a growing number of online media channels to educate the public on its virtues, and journalists in mainstream publications are picking up the Georgist storyline as well.

Georgist policy has an unusual ability to infiltrate existing and mainstream political parties, because the land value tax in particular can appeal to the left, right, and environmental parties. Petitioning government representatives is one effective way to bring Georgist policy into the mainstream, but it’s most effective when mobilizing larger numbers. No one has since been able to match George’s ability to mobilize those who want to see these policies in place.

It seems this is now starting to change. Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable uptick in Georgist activity. Georgists have opened more avenues to communicate and spread the message. The community has put more effort into online media, and the attention received is rising. Major media outlets including The Economist, Bloomberg, FT, and others, have been picking up stories related to Georgism and LVT with more frequency. We should take a moment to acknowledge the hard work that the community has put in to these goals, and to applaud them. The community has started to modernize thanks to your efforts and your engagement with the digital world.

The Georgist community is as fractured as others in some ways, each of us with our own nuanced political preferences. The New Physiocratic League tries to unify the community with a modernized platform focused on political feasibility and expanding on Georgist philosophy, as well as symbols/flag, colour scheme, and branding image. Perhaps not all agree. However, I think it’s safe to say that most Georgists agree on the basics:

Replacing other taxes with the taxation of land value

Rewarding effort rather than taxing it

Acknowledging (as we had in the past) that land is a distinct factor of production, and is a product of nature rather than labour

A large proportion also agree that other natural resources such as air, electromagnetic spectrum, and waterways might also fall under the classification of land / common property. As to what extent an LVT can [politically] realistically replace other taxes, or to what extent this is desired, is where some in the community are divided. For example, The New Physiocratic League proposes cutting and flattening tax rates on incomes dramatically, and paying the rest of income tax revenues out as cash payments to all those in the labour force, to replace more complex and inefficient social programs. Some find this proposal too libertarian for their taste, or too far from George’s single-tax proposal — while others not enough.

However, almost all of us in the community can agree on the most basic, main points. After all, that’s what brought us together. Perhaps the Georgist umbrella organizations can acknowledge the different wings that the community has created, while at the same time highlight the basic policies we’re aiming for. As long as we stick to the simple message, word will continue to spread. I’d like to thank the community for such amazing efforts, and for producing such informative, interesting, and share-able content, and inspiring us to continue on this path.