Pillar 06 · Georgist Mechanism Design
The Monopoly Autopsy & Georgist Simulator
Deconstruct the system that came to define commercial board gaming. Contrast Elizabeth Magie's Georgist Single Tax commonwealth with private rent extraction, and test how kitchen-table house rules break economic convergence.
HISTORICAL PRIMARY PATENT: US 748,626January 5, 1904
Game-Board (The Landlord's Game)
"The object of this game is not only to afford amusement to players, but to demonstrate to them how under the present system of land-tenure the landlord has an advantage over other enterprisers, and also how the single tax would discourage speculation in land."
Simulation Parameters
Free Parking Cash Pot
Casual rule: Pools tax/fines into center pot
Mandatory Property Auctions
Official rule: Instant auction if player declines buy
Enforce 32-House Limit
Official rule: Can lock out opponents by hoarding
Magie Georgist Single Tax
1904 rule: Rents fund public commonwealth UBI
Simulated Systemic Outcomes10,000 Trial Convergence
Match Length
65 min
85 turns
Inequality Gini
0.92
Extreme Wealth Polarization
Rent Velocity
Private Rent
Elimination Risk
Wealth Concentration Progression by Round
Round 10:
Leader: 35%
Round 30:
Leader: 58%
Round 60:
Leader: 84%
Round 85:
Leader: 100%
Computational Verdict:Official tournament rules produce a swift, brutal elimination curve. Mandatory auctions ensure all color groups are locked within 30 turns, and the 32-house limit enables a lethal housing freeze.