The Unearned

A series on the part of wealth that no one created. The earth, its resources, and the value that location and community add to land are a common inheritance, and the rent they throw off is unearned by whoever happens to hold the title. The argument here is that capturing that unearned value, while leaving the fruits of labor entirely untouched, is the one move that squares property with justice.

The foundation is From Plunder to Justice, a standalone essay. This series starts from that line and applies it: the proviso, the booth, the levy, the same line on ore and airwaves, then the commons of the mind. Best read in order, beginning with the foundation essay, then Part 1. What to do with the rent once captured is The Citizens Dividend.