What Is Property? · Chapter
§ 1: Property as a Natural Right explained
Proudhon critiques the inclusion of property as a natural right in the Declaration of Rights, contrasting it with the absolute rights of liberty, equality, and security.
What happens
Proudhon critiques the inclusion of property as a natural right in the Declaration of Rights, contrasting it with the absolute rights of liberty, equality, and security. He argues that property is not a natural right because it is not inviolable, is subject to taxation and conversion, and is inherently antisocial, leading to war between rich and poor. He announces his intention to examine occupation and labor as the alleged titles to property, concluding that property must have equality as its condition.
Themes in this chapter
Property as Theft
Proudhon argues that property is not a natural right but an antisocial institution, implying it is a form of theft from society.
Equality and Justice
Contrasts the absolute rights of liberty, equality, and security with property, which he claims is incompatible with true equality and justice.
Critique of Law and Government
Criticizes the Declaration of Rights, the tax system, and the state for defending property rather than natural rights.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
Author and central voice; critiques property as a natural right and announces his examination of occupation and labor as titles to property.
- Toullier
Cited as the author of 'Droit Civil Expliqué' who reduces absolute rights to three (security, liberty, property), eliminating equality.
- Pothier
Mentioned as a savant who commenced a Treatise on the Right of Usufruct, regarding the origin of property as a useless question.
Key passages
“The Declaration of Rights has placed property in its list of the natural and inalienable rights of man, four in all: liberty, equality, property, security.”
The Declaration of Rights lists property as one of four natural and inalienable rights.
Proudhon sets up his critique by noting property's inclusion alongside liberty, equality, and security.
“Liberty is an absolute right, because it is to man what impenetrability is to matter—a sine qua non of existence; equality is an absolute right, because without equality there is no society; security is an absolute right, because in the eyes of every man his own liberty and life are as precious as another's.”
Liberty, equality, and security are absolute rights essential to human existence and society.
Proudhon contrasts these absolute rights with property, which he argues is not absolute.
“Property and society are utterly irreconcilable institutions. It is as impossible to associate two proprietors as to join two magnets by their opposite poles. Either society must perish, or it must destroy property.”
Property and society cannot coexist; one must destroy the other.
Proudhon declares property antisocial and incompatible with true society.