# Second Memoir: A Letter to M. Blanqui explained — What Is Property?

> Chapter companion for What Is Property? by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_property_se/chapters/second-memoir-a-letter-to-m-blanqui
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_property_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_property_se/chapters