Progress and Poverty, Volumes I and II An Inquiry into the Cause of Industrial Depressions and of Increase of Want with Increase of Wealth

"Progress and Poverty, Volumes I and II" by Henry George is an exploration of why poverty continues even as societies become wealthier and more industrialized. The book kicks off by looking at how technology has boosted productivity, yet many still struggle financially. George examines standard economic ideas, finding them lacking when it comes to explaining this contradiction. From there, the author embarks on a complete breakdown looking at labor, wages, and capital; George suggests unfair land and resource distribution is the core issue, leading him to propose land reform as a means to create a fairer society, especially for the working class. His argument pushes for a major shift in how we think about land ownership in hopes of boosting fairness and overall well-being.