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What is Property? An Inquiry into the Principle of Right and of Government

Written by P.-J. (Pierre-Joseph) Proudhon

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EconomicsProperty

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About this book

"What is Property? An Inquiry into the Principle of Right and of Government" by P. J. Proudhon is a philosophical and political treatise written in the early 19th century. This seminal work challenges conventional notions of property, proposing radical ideas regarding equality and justice in society. Proudhon famously states, "Property is theft," suggesting that the institution of private property is fundamentally unjust and a source of societal inequality. At the start of the work, Proudhon introduces the central theme of his investigation: the nature of property and its implications for justice and governance. He first proposes that commonly accepted definitions of property, whether based on labor or law, fail to hold when subjected to rigorous analysis. By asserting that property is an effect without a cause, he calls into question the foundations of societal consent and legal structures surrounding ownership. Proudhon's method seeks to dissect these concepts, aiming to demonstrate that true justice and equality must replace existing legal and economic frameworks. The opening chapters promise a critical examination of entrenched societal beliefs, inviting readers to reconsider their views on property and the principles governing human interaction.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in What is Property? An Inquiry into the Principle of Right and of Government, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 20 hours
  • advanced
  • provocative
  • analytical
  • revolutionary

P.-J. Proudhon's "What is Property?" is a foundational philosophical and political treatise that radically questions the institution of private property, famously declaring "Property is theft." Published in the early 19th century, the work systematically dissects conventional justifications for ownership, such as occupation and labor, finding them logically inconsistent and morally unjust. Proudhon argues that property, as commonly understood, leads to inequality, exploitation, and the necessity of oppressive government. Instead, he proposes a system of "possession" based on labor and use, advocating for a society founded on mutualism, justice, and true equality, thus laying significant groundwork for anarchist and socialist thought.

“"What is property? Property is theft!"”

Key themes

The Nature of Property
This is the central theme, exploring property not as a given, but as a social construct subject to critical scrutiny. Proudhon systematically dismantles traditional justifications for property (occupation, labor, natural right), ultimately concluding it is fundamentally unjust and impossible in a truly equitable society. He distinguishes between 'property' (the right to exploit and accumulate) and 'possession' (the right to use for labor and sustenance).
Justice and Equality
Proudhon frames his entire inquiry within the pursuit of justice and equality. He argues that property, as it exists, is inherently unjust because it creates and perpetuates inequality, allowing some to live off the labor of others. True justice, for Proudhon, requires an equitable distribution of the fruits of labor and access to the means of production, ensuring that no one is exploited and that all contribute fairly to society.
Critique of Government and the State
Proudhon views the state as inextricably linked to the protection of illegitimate property. For him, government is an instrument of oppression that enforces the unequal distribution of wealth and power, often through violence and coercion. He argues that a truly just and equal society, operating on principles of mutualism and free association, would render the state obsolete, leading to a form of 'anarchy' as the highest order.

Worth discussing

Is Proudhon's assertion that 'property is theft' a valid logical conclusion, or primarily a rhetorical provocation? Discuss its implications.

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