Robert Schalkenbach Foundation

To this end, RSF publishes and distributes books and articles, particularly those of Henry George, including Progress and Poverty, the best-selling original classic work, as well as a new abridgement using the language of the 21st century. These and other works can be found in our on-line library. Books by Henry George and other authors are available for purchase from our on-line bookstore. In addition, the Foundation conducts scholarly research and carries out other projects to promote the principles of Henry George as they apply to issues of current interest. Henry George began with the ethical premise that all people have an equal right to the use of the earth. From that he concluded that exclusive private ownership of land (natural resources) creates unwarranted special privileges. Furthermore, he observed that holding land out of production drives down real wages and the returns to capital equipment. This process is further exacerbated by taxes on production and income that 1) increase unemployment 2) discourage productive investment, and 3) encourage unproductive land speculation and rent-seeking. To counteract this self-destructive system, George advocated shifting taxes from labor and capital onto the value of land and natural resources. In addition to his various writings, Henry George was well known for his two attempts to run for mayor of New York (in which, during the first run, he came in second and a young Theodore Roosevelt came in third). He also traveled around the world promoting his vision of economic justice by his inspiring oratory. Many a young reformer got their start by reading or hearing Henry George. In Russia, George's ideas were popularized by Leo Tolstoy, and in China by Sun Yat-Sen. Today, as a growing population confronts its need fairly, peacefully, and efficiently to allocate access to the gifts of nature, the ideas of Henry George have gained a new relevance. Articles about this new relevance today can be found on this site. There is the stirring piece, "Who Was Henry George?", by his granddaughter, the celebrated choreographer, Agnes DeMille. Also, you can read one of the best introductions of George's thought: "Henry George and the Reconstruction of Capitalism" by the late Prof. Robert V. Andelson; and one of the best expositions of his relevance as "the Great Reconciler" of opposing economic systems, "Henry George 100 Years Later" by Prof. Mason Gaffney. The Foundation takes its name from Robert Schalkenbach, an American typesetter and enthusiastic advocate of George's vision who left in his will the seed money that started the foundation. RSF is not the only organization promoting and developing what some now call "the Georgist paradigm". Links to these other organizations are also found on this site, and we encourage you to visit them. Further information about the Foundation can also be found on this site. We also welcome your financial support. RSF is a 501(c)(3) organization in the USA. All donations are deductible for income tax purposes. For more information on how to contribute to our work please read the annual fund appeal letter from our president. Sincerely, The Board and Staff of the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation "Men like Henry George are rare unfortunately. One cannot imagine a more beautiful combination of intellectual keenness, artistic form, and fervent love of justice." Albert Einstein Robert Schalkenbach Foundation 90 John Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10038 Phone 212-683-6424; Toll-Free 800-269-9555; Fax 212-683-6454 [email protected]

Mission: Mission of the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation Extract from the Will of Robert Schalkenbach, establishing the Foundation (1925): “Being firmly convinced that the principles expounded by Henry George in his immortal book entitled “Progress and Poverty” will, if enacted into law, give equal opportunity to all and tend to the betterment of the individual and of society by the abolition of involuntary poverty and its attendant evils, I give…my estate…unto [the original 21 trustees of the corporation and their successors] to expend the same and any accretions of income thereof, in such amounts, at such times and in such manner as…may seem best for teaching, expounding and propagating the ideas of Henry George as set forth in his said book and in his other books, especially what are popularly known as the single tax on land values and international free trade…” Mission as stated in the Certificate of Incorporation as amended in 1931: “To keep before the public the ideas of Henry George as set forth in his book “Progress and Poverty” and his other writings, especially what are popularly known as the single tax on land values and international free trade; to secure discussion and consideration of these doctrines and their probable effect upon social welfare; to aid in the education of the public in the science of economics and sound principles of taxation; and for these purposes to establish and maintain such facilities as may be necessary for publishing, lecturing and educational activities and/or to give aid to individuals or other organizations with similar objects and to do all other acts that may tend to further the objects named.”

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