Georgism in Russian socio-political thought of the early twentieth century: the Reception by S.D. Nikolaev

This article is dedicated to analyzing the reception of Henry George’s doctrine in Russia through the works of S.D. Nikolaev, a translator and consistent advocate of his ideas. The author examines how George’s concept was adapted to the socio-political context of Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike the well-known proponent of Georgism, L.N. Tolstoy, who interpreted George’s ideas primarily in an ethical framework, Nikolaev developed a practical plan for implementing the “single tax” reform under specific historical conditions. He proposed a system of land management through classless self-governing bodies, the introduction of an equalized land tax, and the abolition of all other taxes. The study demonstrates that Russian Georgism underwent a transformation due to the urgency of the agrarian question in pre-revolutionary Russia and the existence of a unique element of economic relations – the peasant commune. Analyzing Nikolaev’s works not only reconstructs the perception of the “single tax” in Russia and expands the understanding of Georgism as a political ideology but also identifies patterns in the transformation of political concepts within a foreign ideological context. The article deepens the understanding of the broader political landscape and the debates surrounding the land question in pre-revolutionary Russia.