Pinpointing a flaw in prevailing economic practices that explains why so many families in the richest nation on earth are mired in poverty, homelessness, joblessness, and hunger, this study suggests that a reform is available to correct this flaw that is corroding the enterprise system. This flaw is widely accepted and enshrined in law; certain taxation and land policies enable a powerful few to skim off a large share of the wealth created by the mass of citizens. How this injustice plays a major role in generating destructive boom and bust cycles is important, but the overprivileged who benefit from “legalized theft” are not vilified. Rather, the book calls for correcting the public policies that make slum ownership, land speculation, and other forms of parasitic and exploitive behavior more profitable than honest labor and productive enterprise. Accounts of places in the United States and elsewhere that are applying the proposed reform are presented, proving that it is politically feasible, and offers an ethical cleansing of the economy so that all people can enjoy all the fruits of their efforts.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Commitment and competence characterize Walter Rybeck’s life-long effort to promote the common good through creative application of land taxation policies." —William J. Byron, S. J., professor of business and society, St. Joseph’s University–Philadelphia
"The story of how coal, oil, and timber became a curse to Appalachia because these resources attracted exploiters who left the bulk of mountain people in poverty." —Ken Hechler, former White House assistant to President Truman, U. S. Congressman, West Virginia Secretary of State, and author, The Bridge at Remagen
"The author shows how the system he advocates would lead to more jobs, affordable housing for all, better schools and infrastructure, an end to urban sprawl, improved transportation and greater efficiency, as well as stopping tax evasion." —New Classics (March 2011)
About the Author
Walter Rybeck is a contributor to the book Land-Value Taxation Around the World and the director of the Center for Public Dialogue. He is the former assistant director of the National Commission on Urban Problems and a former assistant to both Congressmen Henry S. Reuss of Milwaukee and William S. Coyne of Pittsburgh. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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Director, Center for Public Dialogue. Formerly Washington Bureau Chief, Cox Newspapers; Assistant Director, National Commission on Urban Probloems; Editorial Director, Urban Institute
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Max Horlick
Format:Paperback
Rybek successfully dares to question that sacred cow, the American tax system. He holds that the answer to economic problems is to overhaul our tax and land policy, taxing land , not the structures that stand on it. In a rather engaging and surprisingly autobiographical saga, he describes how a number of cities have been successful with this approach. He shared the idea, or ran it by many noted people. Among them was the future Marion Barry--mayor to be of Washington, D.C. Barry grasped the idea immediately, but shrewdly asked, " but how many votes will that get me?" The numerous anecdotes and personal experiences enliven what might be regarded as a serious and heavy subject.--the need for reform in our economy. This is a popular topic in campaign promises and media coverage-- but what is unusual here is that Rybeck actually offers specific and workable suggestions on what to do about it..
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A taxation concept beautifully described in Henry George's 1879 opus "Progress and Poverty," the land, or single, tax seems so logically compelling that one wonders what forces buried it. Interesting is the fact that again we have progress and poverty with no obvious or likely remedy. Walt Rybeck's long familiarity with the land tax concept has helped him create a fresh exposition of an idea which, if implemented widely in the recent 100 hears would have had transformational impact on the shape of our cities and become a solid foundation for our tax system. It's unfortunate we probably can't start over.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Just Ice
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Walter Rybeck provides interesting insights into the fundamental but often neglected role of land economics in our modern world. Discussions of land economics are often relegated to discussions about agricultural or developing societies. But Rybeck shows that this topic is central to some key problems in our modern, urban society -- particularly problems related to economic booms and busts, affordable housing, unemployment, urban blight, suburban sprawl, environmental degradation and governmental finance. Without using impenetrable economic jargon, Rybeck speaks clearly and directly about why this topic is important and why we have developed a cultural "blind spot" to it.
Interwoven with Rybeck's economic analysis are stories about his life. Some stories explain how he was drawn to appreciate nature, the environment and social justice. Some stories are about jurisdictions that have successfully implemented laws that are more productive and ethical in governing natural resources and land use issues, including infrastructure investments and containment of urban sprawl.
Some stories relate to Rybeck's career as a journalist covering the civil rights and environmental struggles of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. These stories might not be about land economics, but about the process of social change. Just as changing social attitudes and laws about race and gender are difficult, changing the way that we treat ownership of land and natural resources will be equally difficult and challenging. But, as Rybeck points out, parts of the world have successfully begun to transform themselves regarding racial segregation, gender discrimination, and environmental abuse. Therefore, Rybeck is hopeful that reform of our land and natural resource ethic is also possible.
If you are looking for answers to fundamental economic problems combined with a practical approach toward a better economic future, this book is for you. After reading this book, you might even conclude that there is such a thing as "ethical economics."
Interwoven with Rybeck's economic analysis are stories about his life. Some stories explain how he was drawn to appreciate nature, the environment and social justice. Some stories are about jurisdictions that have successfully implemented laws that are more productive and ethical in governing natural resources and land use issues, including infrastructure investments and containment of urban sprawl.
Some stories relate to Rybeck's career as a journalist covering the civil rights and environmental struggles of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. These stories might not be about land economics, but about the process of social change. Just as changing social attitudes and laws about race and gender are difficult, changing the way that we treat ownership of land and natural resources will be equally difficult and challenging. But, as Rybeck points out, parts of the world have successfully begun to transform themselves regarding racial segregation, gender discrimination, and environmental abuse. Therefore, Rybeck is hopeful that reform of our land and natural resource ethic is also possible.
If you are looking for answers to fundamental economic problems combined with a practical approach toward a better economic future, this book is for you. After reading this book, you might even conclude that there is such a thing as "ethical economics."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Heart and Soul of Economic Justice
Re-solving the Economic Puzzle by Walter Rybeck is a truly amazing book. The Occupy Movement has helped the average person understand that we have 99% problem. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Heather T. Remoff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Logic and Love - A Rare Combination
Another tour-de-force by Walter Rybeck. Employing a clear and uncomplicated writing style, Rybeck delves into many of our seemingly intractable social and economic problems and... Read more
Published 15 months ago by John L. Kelly
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