Most people think of PROPERTY in terms of material possessions. Because of this, many have successfully denied the morality of PROPERTY, or attacked its moral validity, and claimed that pursuit of material well-being conflicts with human rights. The above concept produces conflicts with human rights, and needs correction.
The above is a restricted and erroneous point of view on PROPERTY. A more satisfying and total concept arises from the following definition:
PROPERTY IS INDIVIDUAL MAN’S LIFE AND ALL NON-PROCREATIVE DERIVATIVES OF HIS LIFE.
PROPERTY is the basis and essence of liberty. To own means to have and hold PROPERTY exclusively. If man is not free to own PROPERTY, then he owns nothing. Life itself is defined by ownership. A man may own anything but himself. Thus, PROPERTY must always include self-ownership.
Thoughts and ideas, the court of man’s life are his PROPERTY. From thoughts and ideas, man derives further products and actions. Primary PROPERTY is man’s own life. Thoughts and ideas are primary PROPERTY. Products (things) and actions derived from thoughts and ideas, through man’s knowledge and action, are PROPERTY. Ownership (right) is the essence of PROPERTY.
Clearly, liberty itself is PROPERTY. Since all so-called HUMAN RIGHTS are PROPERTY RIGHTS, there can be no conflict!
Ideas and actions produce further, or secondary, derivatives. These include the access to and use of land and the production, utilization, enjoyment, and disposal of material, tangible goods of all kinds from ash trays to television sets, from log cabins to skyscrapers, from oxcarts to jet planes.
These are called SECONDARY PROPERTY. They are secondary both logically and chronologically. In all instances, their existence is antedated by PRIMARY PROPERTY which led to their generation and employment.
Further derivatives of man’s life lead to voluntary transactions involving PROPERTY transfers (sales, trades, gifts, etc.). Involuntary PROPERTY transfers are derivative not from the property owner’s life but from the life of the coercer. Therefore, PROPERTY ceases to remain PROPERTY and is converted to plunder when subjected to involuntary (coercive) transfer.
Children — being young human beings — have PROPERTY rights of their own and cannot themselves be owned; children are not property.
Your ownership of PROPERTY is the basis of all you are, all you have, and all you can hope to achieve.
THEREFORE, PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY AS THOUGH YOUR LIFE DEPENDED UPON IT.
IT DOES!
From THRUST FOR FREEDOM - No. 2, Copyright © 1965 by Joseph A. Galambos