What is Property?

Summary

"What is Property?" is a book written by Pierre Joseph Proudhon, a French philosopher and political theorist. The book is a critique of property rights and capitalist economic systems, and it argues for a more egalitarian and democratic society.

Proudhon's central thesis is that property rights are inherently unjust and that they allow the rich to exploit the poor. He argues that property should be abolished and replaced with a system of communal ownership, in which individuals share and cooperate in the use and distribution of resources.

In the book, Proudhon also explores the origins and development of property rights, tracing their history from the earliest human societies to the modern capitalist era. He criticizes the idea that property rights are based on natural law or divine mandate, arguing instead that they are a product of historical and social conditions.

Overall, "What is Property?" is a radical critique of capitalism and property rights that has had a significant impact on political theory and social movements. It is considered a foundational text of anarchist and socialist thought and remains a key reference for anyone interested in the history and development of economic and political systems