Page:David Atkins - The Economics of Freedom (1924).pdf/220



formulating any specific modifications of our present system, or accepting any remedy, let us see what new dangers may have to be faced.

The acceptance has been urged of the following points:

That in a region of self-imposed order the measurable components of basic economic value are three, namely, land-area, population and time.

That while time measures the duration of effort, the only measurable container of this effort is land, which has one constant and calculable characteristic, namely, surface-area, since this dimension cannot be impaired either by the state or by any individual.

That effort, in the aggregate, is proportional to population; but, lacking autocratic compulsion, depends severally upon the impulse of the individual, which appears to have two main characteristics, being either grudging or eager.

That grudging effort (which is probably a direct reflex of maladjustment) can only be compelled by one of two methods:

(a) coercion by authority (illogical under self-government); or,

(b) the impersonal coercion of need, which, however, ceases to function the moment that need has been satisfied.

That eager or willing effort, therefore, under democracy, is the sole source of the reserves necessary to safeguard the community and maintain continuity of advantageous operations.

That any inducement of effort, to be effective, should be incapable of debasement.

That remuneration incapable of debasement under democracy can only be a lien on land-area valued in terms of population-density, and guaranteed by the full prepayment of the cost of order, or taxation.

That any taxation so arranged that it falls on consumption