What Is Property? · Chapter
Ninth Proposition explained
Proudhon argues that property is impossible because it is powerless against itself, demonstrating through economic principles that the right of property inherently creates inequality of rights and relies on superior strength rather than jus
What happens
Proudhon argues that property is impossible because it is powerless against itself, demonstrating through economic principles that the right of property inherently creates inequality of rights and relies on superior strength rather than justice. He uses examples of competition between producers and landowners to show that property cannot function without violating itself, and concludes that property is null and void without force.
Themes in this chapter
Inequality of Wealth
Proudhon demonstrates that property creates inequality of rights, where the rich can ruin the poor through competition and superior strength.
Critique of Law and Government
The chapter critiques commercial legislation and the Code Napoleon for enshrining property rights that rely on might rather than justice.
Property as Theft
Proudhon argues that property is impossible because it is powerless against itself, implying that property inherently involves theft through inequality and force.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
Author and primary voice, presenting the ninth proposition and critiquing property through economic and legal analysis.
- Say
Quoted regarding the concept of net product and the consumer paying for losses in the chain of production.
- Napoleon
Referenced in the context of the Code Napoleon, which embodies the spirit of competition as a duel.
Key passages
“Property is impossible, because it is powerless against Property.”
Property cannot exist because it cannot sustain itself when faced with other property claims.
Opening thesis of the ninth proposition, setting up the argument that property inherently contradicts itself.
“no man can enrich himself without impoverishing another.”
Wealth accumulation by one person necessarily causes loss for someone else.
Proudhon's conclusion from the chain of production and consumption, highlighting the zero-sum nature of property.
“Property, then, is inequality of rights; for, if it were not inequality of rights, it would be equality of goods—in other words, it would not exist.”
Property inherently creates unequal rights, because if rights were equal, goods would be equal and property would vanish.
Key logical step linking property to inequality and impossibility.
“without force, property is powerless against property; therefore, without force, property is null and void.”
Property cannot function without coercion, so without force it has no real power and is essentially meaningless.
Conclusion that property relies on might, not right, rendering it invalid.