Progress
and Poverty course in Blue Island starts Saturday, January 28.
This page provides
information about our Progress & Poverty course, offered Saturdays
in Blue Island starting January 28. If you have already decided to pre-register, choose class #5 on this form.
General information about the
course is here.
In Blue Island we're offering our classic version,
which is a bit more in-depth than the modern version. Because this is a
Saturday class, we will have two class sessions each Saturday, so we'll
complete the course in just five weeks. The class starts at 1 PM each
Saturday and we intend to conclude by 4 PM, including a short break.
Other courses we offer are
described here, and the current (Winter Term 2012) class
schedule is here.
If you have not got a copy
of the Blue Island class brochure, you can read the content
below. Or go to the main Henry George School site.
Today's economic problems aren't new.
America's economy crashed in
1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893, 1907, 1920, 1930, 1955, 1973, 1981, 1990,
2001, 2008.... each crash different in detail, but similar overall:
People willing and able to work could not find the opportunity they
needed and were thus thrown into poverty. And even in good times,
millions of willing American workers remain unemployed.
The cause of economic difficulty is no mystery. Nor is the remedy.
Philosophers, and even some economists, have understood for decades
what opportunity really is and how it can be assured for all. One of
the greatest writers on this subject was Henry George, and his book,
Progress & Poverty, provides an excellent framework for
understanding the problems we face today.
You are invited to enroll..
… in our course based on George's classic book. No prior study of
economics or any other subject is necessary. You need only a
willingness to think and to learn.
The course is taught in 10 sessions, on five Saturdays beginning
January 28. We meet at the Blue Island Public Library, from 1 to 4 PM.
Each Saturday we'll do two sessions, with a 15-minute break between.
The $25 registration fee covers the textbook and all materials for the
entire course.
Having attended at least four of the five Saturdays, you will receive a
certificate of completion, and be qualified to take advanced Henry
George School courses if you wish.
Course Outline
We start with a discussion of the problem: Why has our nation,
despite
its enormous productive power, failed to provide to everyone the
opportunity to earn a living wage? And why does our economy crash
periodically, causing even more poverty and economic misery? We
evaluate current explanations, and find them unsatisfactory. Using the
tools of classical economic analysis, we determine the fundamental
natural laws which limit how much people can earn, and see how progress
can actually worsen poverty.
Does that mean technological progress must be stopped? Of course not.
Reasoning from morality as much as practicality, Henry George proposes
a pro-liberty, anti-privilege public policy which can end poverty while
increasing the general level of prosperity. We discuss and evaluate
this proposal, in theory and in practice, for the 21st century.
The main text we use is Henry George's original Progress & Poverty.
For several years after its original publication in 1879, this book was
an American best-seller. Although the original 19th-century text is a
classic, many of our students choose instead to read an edition
“abridged for modern readers.”
You will be amazed how George's analysis is spot-on to 21st-century
issues. Supplementary notes are also provided to clarify and update
as needed. And the instructor will thoroughly discuss all the important
points in the class.
What you will learn
- You will learn a method of reasoning that is useful in
understanding all sorts of community problems.
- You will know the mechanism by which poverty tends to worsen
as
the economy progresses, and why programs aimed at alleviating poverty
are unlikely to succeed.
- You will see the inherent contradictions which cause most
“economic development” programs to fail.
- You will understand the fundamental cause of the ongoing
financial crises.
- You will know why similar crises occur repeatedly, every
decade
or two.
- You will recognize that honest and efficient government,
improved
public education, and many other desirable reforms cannot by themselves
bring prosperity nor end poverty.
- You will have a better understanding of the economic system
under
which we live.
- You will know how Liberty and Justice are essential elements
of
any system which works for everybody.
- You will have understand and have evaluated for yourself a
method
of method of public finance which many claim would end poverty and
prevent financial collapses.
What you won't learn
- You won't learn any sure-fire method for getting rich.
However,
you will gain knowledge which may help you prosper personally.
- You won't learn a magic formula for peace and prosperity. But
you
will have a better understanding of concepts which are essential for
making peace and prosperity possible.
Some Frequent Questions:
How can I enroll in this course?
Call us at 312 362 9302 to reserve your place, or send a check for $25
to Henry George School, 28 E. Jackson #1004; Chicago 60604. You can
also pre-register using this link.
When and where are the classes?
Saturday, January 28, 1 PM to 4 PM, continuing every Saturday in
February, at the Blue Island Public Library 2433 York Street, Blue
Island, IL 60406. Attendance at the first session is essential. We also
have other classes and other locations, call or visit the web site for
details.
How much does the course cost?
$25, basically to cover the cost of materials.
Is there homework? Exams?
There are recommended readings, but all the essential information is
gone over in class. There are self-scored quizzes to test your
learning, and a final evaluation (for you to evaluate the course).
Who was Henry George?
Henry George was a self-taught economist and philosopher who, in the
late 19th century, was one of the most famous people in America. His
book Progress & Poverty was a best-seller, and he beat Theodore
Roosevelt in the 1886 election for Mayor of New York City. You can
learn lots more about Henry George from the links near the bottom of this
page.
How can we afford to offer classes so inexpensively?
Most of our staff are volunteers. Most of our expenses are covered by
donations from past graduates and other supporters, who believe it's
important for everyone to understand the economic fundamentals we
teach. (If you would like to contribute, see this page)
You can see what our past students have said about us here.
Progress & Poverty
at the
Henry George School
Where adults
learn how the economy really works
Henry George School of Chicago
28 E Jackson Blvd #1004; Chicago 60604
hgchicago.org
312/362-9302
Anti-privilege, pro-liberty education
since 1934
to the main Henry George School site