To sum up the conclusions of this chapter: The argument against first occupancy is valid only with regard to the abuses of private ownership, not with regard to the institution; the argument based upon the title of labour is the outcome of a faulty analysis, and is inconsistent with other statements of its author; the argument derived from men's equal rights to land merely proves that private ownership does not secure perfect justice, and the proposal to correct this defect by confiscating rent is unjust because it would produce greater evils; and the so called production of the social values of land confers upon the community no property right whatever. FOOTNOTES: [8] "Socialism: Utopian and Scientific," p. 45; Chicago, 1900. [9] "A summary of the Principles of Socialism," p. 23; London, 1899. [10] "Socialism: A Reply to the Pope's Encyclical," p. 4; London, 1899. [11] "Progress and Poverty," book vii, ch. i. [12] "La Propriété Privée," par L. Garriguet, I, 62; Paris, 1903. [13] Cf. Ardant, "Papes et Paysans," pp. 41, sq. [14] "Social Statics," chap, ix; 1850. Spencer's retractation, in a later edition of this work, of his earlier views on the right of property in land does not affect the truth of the description quoted in the passage above. [15] "Progress and Poverty," loc. cit. [16] "Open Letter to Pope Leo XIII," page 25 of Vierth's edition. [17] "Progress and Poverty," loc. cit. [18] "Progress and Poverty," loc. cit. [19] "Open Letter to Pope Leo XIII," loc. cit. [20] Whittaker, op. cit., p. 32. [21] "Open Letter," loc. cit. [22] "Progress and Poverty," book vii, ch. i. [23] Cf. chapter entitled "Compensation" in "A Perplexed Philosopher." [24] Cf. "Principles of Political Economy," 1891, p. 130. [25] "Progress and Poverty." [26] "Progress and Poverty," book vii, ch. iii. CHAPTER IV PRIVATE OWNERSHIP THE BEST SYSTEM OF LAND TENURE The defence of private landownership set forth in the last chapter has been conditional. It has tended to show that the institution is morally lawful so long as no better system is available. As soon as a better system has been discovered, the State and the citizens are undoubtedly under some degree of moral obligation to put it into practice. Hence the important present question is whether this condition or contingency has become a reality. The only proposed and the only possible alternative systems are Socialism and the Single Tax. All other forms of tenure are properly classed as modifications of private ownership, rather than as distinct systems. Consequently the worth, and efficiency, and morality of private ownership can be adequately determined by comparison with the two just mentioned. _The Socialist Proposals Impracticable_