This website acknowledges that land is free
- as free as sunshine, air and water. However, the further
fact is that we think it can be owned, and this has a serious
effect on the distribution of wealth.
That land is free by nature cannot be disputed.
It is
here when we arrive, and we cannot take it when we leave.
By natural law, all must have equal rights to its use. But
we have devised a system of absolute ownership with the
right to charge a rent to a user. This is completely entrenched
in the law of the land.
Of course, man must be able to use land for a reasonable
term so as to be able to bring his product to completion
and sale, and also to continue in business. The use of certain
pieces of land bring benefits, either due to fertility,
or more importantly, due to facilities provided by the
community around.
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So the question is, how to recognise the
freedom of land, while providing security of tenure, and
return to the community the result of its efforts
as they apply to each piece of land. If we
do not upset the laws we have too much, so much
the better.
The method for collecting revenue supported by this website is a levy of a
site value each year on each site. Although termed a tax,
it is really a return to the community for the benefits
attached to each site, whether negligible or enormous.
The following Topic Papers explore some of the implications
of this proposal. The general intention is to name a particular
problem, then to show how it might be dealt with under site
value taxation.
The consequences of not recognising natural law are growing. The heavy burden of land prices and the increasing gap between rich and poor are problems that will have to be dealt with.
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Comments and articles for inclusion may be submitted to:
Roy Douglas, 6 Filching Close, Wannock, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 5NU, UK.
or email to: tommasgraves@hotmail.com.
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