How Shall the Rich Escape? (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894. Excerpt: ... THE WORLD BELONGS TO HIM WHO HAS THE MIGHT TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN HIS RIGHT. Though not by any means a new idea, the theory that the "nationalization of land," is a "sure cure" for all the social evils of poverty has become quite generally diffused of late both in this country, Britain and other parts of the world. While some few only look on it as a practical way out of the social muddle, others, like Henry George and his followers, take the absurdly false and illogical position that the people should once more appropriate the land as their natural and "God-given right." Let me say that I, too, have been an advocate of the nationalization scheme for practical economical reasons, and that I had already written some pages on this subject before I came to the conclusion that I had also been seeking a fetich, and that it is against all common sense. Why I changed my mind will come out in course of time. The position of Mr. George and his followers has never had any support from me as to why natural resources should be nationalized. They are ignorant followers of the theological fetich, that the "good Father" first created everything for man and then made him, and, in a formal and dignified manner, presented it and the keys thereof to him at the gates of the garden called Eden. The arguments previously brought forward as to the origin of right and rights all apply here. As has been shown, all so-called natural rights depend on the ability to appropriate and the might to maintain them on the part of the individual. Not one foot of nature, not a bird or a fish was ever made for man, or else he would not have to labor as he does and run the dangers he does to obtain them. If nature was made for man why did the "good Father" make so much of it that man cannot liv...