What
“The present state of civilization is as odious as it is unjust…The contrast of affluence and wretchedness continually meeting and offending the eye, is like dead and living bodies chained together.”
“Man did not make the earth, and though he had a natural right to occupy it, he had no right to locate as his property in perpetuity any part of it; neither did the Creator of the earth open a land-office, from whence the first title deeds should issue.”
Thus, “Every proprietor, therefore of cultivated lands, owes to the community a ground rent (for I know of no better term to express the idea)... Each individual attaining the age of 21, should receive the sum of fifteen pounds sterling, as compensation in part, for the loss of his or her natural in heritage, by the introduction of land property…and the sum of ten pounds per annum, during life, to every person now living, of the age of fifty years, and to all others as they shall arrive at that age.”
Excerpts from Agrarian Justice selected by Tom Paine Friends Bulletin, Vol. 13, No. 2, Summer 2002
Consider: Locke's treatise on property. Consider: What is Land Value Tax? Consider:The idea of property
Why
How
For a more detailed discussion see this video series. Many taxation systems may employ an exemption system and the land value tax could and has incorporated exemptions on the basis of homesteading or agricultural usage - this may mitigate the negatives of this system.
Examples of Success?
Examples of Failure?
For additional consideration think on these quotes by those providing influence and inspiration into the foundations of the Constitution adopted by the United States: