# Sixth Proposition explained — What Is Property?

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

## What happens

Proudhon argues that property is impossible because it inevitably leads to tyranny. He contends that under a property regime, political power is proportional to wealth, making electoral equality a violation of property rights. He illustrates this with examples from history and contemporary politics, showing that property is incompatible with political and civil equality.

## Themes in this chapter

### Inequality of Wealth

Proudhon highlights how property creates vast disparities in political power proportional to wealth.

### Critique of Law and Government

The chapter critiques government as an institution that upholds property and thus tyranny.

### Equality and Justice

Proudhon argues that property is incompatible with political and civil equality.

## Character check-ins

### Pierre Joseph Proudhon

Author and primary voice arguing that property is the mother of tyranny.

### M. Arago

Cited as demanding universal suffrage for National Guards, which Proudhon critiques as inconsistent with property rights.

### Jean Jacques Rousseau

Addressed as 'bonhomme Jacques' in a rhetorical question about property and equality.

## Key lines

> Property is impossible, because it is the Mother of Tyranny.

Property cannot exist because it inherently generates oppressive rule.

_Central thesis of the chapter._

> In a country where property exists, equality of electoral rights is a violation of property.

Where property is recognized, giving everyone an equal vote infringes on property owners' proportional power.

_Proudhon's critique of electoral equality under property._

> Property is incompatible with political and civil equality; then property is impossible.

Since property cannot coexist with equality in politics and civil rights, it is untenable.

_Conclusion of the chapter's argument._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_property_se/chapters/sixth-proposition
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_property_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_property_se/chapters