A late 19th-century American economist and social reformer advocated for a “single tax” on land value. This concept, also known as Georgism, proposed that the unearned increment in land value (the increase in value not due to improvements made by the owner) should be the primary source of government revenue. The economic philosophy aimed to address wealth inequality and promote a more just distribution of resources.
This philosophy gained considerable traction during the Gilded Age, a period marked by rapid industrialization, economic expansion, and significant disparities in wealth. His ideas challenged the prevailing laissez-faire economic policies and offered an alternative approach to taxation and resource management. The proposed tax was seen as a way to discourage land speculation, reduce poverty, and fund public services.