Leo Tolstoy (jan 1, 1828 – jan 1, 1910)

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After Tolstoy fervently embraced the works of Henry George, he put a number of Georgist proposals to the czar which, had Tolstoy been successful, may well have averted the Russian Revolution and changed the course of world history.

“Solving the land question means the solving of all social questions… Possession of land by people who do not use it is immoral – just like the possession of slaves.”

“The only thing that would pacify the people now is the introduction of the Land Value Taxation system of Henry George. The land is common to all; all have the same right to it.”

“This sin (of land ownership) can be undone, not by political reform, nor Socialist schemes for the future, not by revolution in the present, and still less by philanthropic assistance or government organisation for the purchase and distribution of land among the peasants ….The method of solving the land problem has been elaborated by Henry George to a degree of perfection that under the existing state organisation and compulsory taxation, it is impossible to invent any better, more just, practical and peaceful solution.”

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