What Is Property? · Chapter
Demonstration explained
Proudhon presents a series of propositions demonstrating the impossibility and injustice of property, arguing that property is theft because it allows the owner to claim the fruit of another's labor without contributing equivalent value.
What happens
Proudhon presents a series of propositions demonstrating the impossibility and injustice of property, arguing that property is theft because it allows the owner to claim the fruit of another's labor without contributing equivalent value. He uses economic reasoning to show that property leads to waste, inequality, and the impossibility of fair exchange, and critiques economists like Say for defending property as a necessary institution.
Themes in this chapter
Property as Theft
Proudhon defines property as the right to enjoy another's goods and labor, calling it robbery.
Labor and Exploitation
Argues that property allows the proprietor to claim the fruit of another's industry without contributing equivalent labor.
Inequality of Wealth
Demonstrates how property leads to unequal exchange and waste, making production cost more than it is worth.
Critique of Law and Government
Criticizes the legal and economic justifications for property, including the role of civil law and economists.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
Author and primary voice, presenting arguments against property.
- Say
Economist cited for his definition of production and defense of property as an implement.
- Ricardo
Mentioned as part of the labor theory of value school.
- Destutt de Tracy
Cited alongside Smith and Ricardo as proponent of labor as sole agent of production.
- Adam Smith
Referenced in the context of theories of production.
Key passages
“is the right to enjoy and dispose at will of another’s goods—the fruit of another’s industry and labor.”
Property is the right to use and control the products of someone else's work.
Proudhon's definition of property as theft.
“Every possessor of lands, houses, furniture, machinery, tools, money, etc., who lends a thing for a price exceeding the cost of repairs ... is guilty of swindling and extortion.”
Anyone who lends an item for a price higher than the cost of maintenance is committing fraud and extortion.
Proudhon's condemnation of rent and interest as robbery.
“Production costs more than it is worth.”
The cost of production exceeds the value of what is produced.
Second proposition: property leads to economic waste.
“The land is an implement whose service must be paid for, then.”
The land is a tool that requires payment for its use.
Say's argument for property, which Proudhon rejects.
“The proprietor’s business is to reconcile farmers by robbing them.”
The role of the proprietor is to settle disputes among farmers by stealing from them.
Proudhon's sarcastic critique of the economist's defense of property.