The Socialism of to-day

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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SOCIALISM m ENGLAND. 308 the consideration of tenant-farmers). The Professor, though approving of Mr. George’s scheme of taxing land almost up to its full value as an ideal to be aimed at, utters a wise word of caution against the sudden imposition of so gigantic a land tax. This would not only cause hardship to landlords, but would also shake the sense of security in all kinds of property, and would lead to a great change in the character of the demand for commodities which, however desirable in the abstract, would work great injury to many skilled labourers. As to taxes on interest, the Professor cannot agree with those who speak as if capital was of no assistance to labour. A tax falling on interest would tend to drive capital abroad, and is therefore inexpedient. A tax on the earnings of commercial and professional people is, however, not open to the same economic objection, at least not in the same degree ; for it is far easier to transfer abroad capital than ability. Accordingly, Mr. Symes advocates a progressive income-tax to be gradually increased in severity. The curious result, then, of the teaching of the “dismal science,” even in the hands of a Socialistic clergyman, is that a tax on earnings, the produce of labour, and the reward of the industrious, is advocated, while a tax on the spurious progeny of infamous capital, the result of spoliation and the support of the idle, is acknowledged to be inexpedient. Nevertheless, the Professor’s economical analysis is, in the main, correct ; but the question whether taxation on a large scale on these lines is expedient (apart from all consideration of its justice, the highest expediency) depends on a variety of circumstances, not the least important of which is, what is it intended that the State should do with the vast funds so raised ? Will it in the long run make a better use of them than the private indi* viduals from whom they are taken ? Mr. Symes advocates “ the use of public money for the direct amelioration of the dwellings of the poor and the circumstances of their children.” Differing, however, as we shall see, from the Social Democratic Federation, he would “let the improved dwellings at competition rents,” but he says “ they would cease to command monopoly prices.” To get rid of monopoly or scarcity prices altogether would be impossible with competition

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