Protection or Free Trade

In an era of tariff walls and trade wars, Henry George’s Protection or Free Trade remains one of the clearest, most passionate arguments for commercial liberty ever written. Written in plain language for working people, this 1886 classic systematically dismantles protectionist fallacies and shows how tariffs harm workers, farmers, and consumers alike. George does not merely defend free trade—he reveals it as a moral principle rooted in justice and natural law. This modern edition preserves his fiery logic and concrete examples while updating the language for today’s reader. From the cotton mill to the cornfield, George explains why artificial barriers enrich the few at the expense of the many. More than an economic treatise, this is a call to think clearly about how we organize society. Part of The Modern Wisdom Library.