What Is Property? · Chapter
Second Memoir: A Letter to M. Blanqui explained
Proudhon defends his work 'What is Property?' against accusations of inciting class hatred, clarifying that he attacked the institution of property itself, not individual proprietors.
What happens
Proudhon defends his work 'What is Property?' against accusations of inciting class hatred, clarifying that he attacked the institution of property itself, not individual proprietors. He outlines three causes of social inequality—gratuitous appropriation of collective wealth, inequality in exchange, and the right of profit—and argues that property is identical to robbery. He reviews historical attempts to establish equality, such as Lycurgus' reforms in Sparta, and discusses modern legal limitations on property like expropriation for public utility, suggesting that property rights are being progressively eroded.
Themes in this chapter
Property as Theft
Proudhon reiterates his central thesis that property is identical to robbery, based on gratuitous appropriation and inequality in exchange.
Inequality of Wealth
The chapter identifies three causes of social inequality: appropriation of collective wealth, unequal exchange, and profit.
Revolution and Reform
Proudhon discusses historical reforms like Lycurgus' abolition of debts and modern expropriation laws as steps toward limiting property.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
Author of the memoir, defending his critique of property and clarifying his intentions.
- M. Blanqui
Addressee of the letter; Proudhon responds to criticisms from him and others.
- Lycurgus
Spartan legislator cited as an example of abolishing debts and property to achieve equality.
- Moses
Mentioned as proscribing usury and inequality, supporting the critique of property.
- Jesus Christ
Referenced as proscribing profit and increase, aligning with the condemnation of property.
Key passages
“I therefore declared, my hand upon my heart, before God and men, that the causes of social inequality are three in number: 1. Gratuitous appropriation of collective wealth ; 2. Inequality in exchange ; 3. The right of profit or increase.”
Proudhon states that social inequality stems from three factors: taking collective wealth without compensation, unfair exchanges, and the right to profit.
This summarizes Proudhon's core argument against property.
“I accused property; I did not denounce the proprietors, which would have been absurd.”
Proudhon clarifies that his critique targets the institution of property, not individual property owners.
He defends himself against charges of inciting class hatred.
“Lycurgus understood perfectly that the luxury, the love of enjoyments, and the inequality of fortunes, which property engenders, are the bane of society.”
Lycurgus recognized that property leads to luxury and inequality, which harm society.
Historical example used to support the critique of property.