Locke's Theory of Property

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key terms and concepts from John Locke's 'Of Property'.

Common Ownership of Nature

The principle that God gave the world to mankind in common, meaning nobody has a private right excluding the rest of mankind over anything in its natural state.

Self-Ownership

The natural property right every individual has in their own person, which entails exclusive ownership of one's body and labor, grounding rights against physical assault, enslavement, and false imprisonment.

Labor

The exertion of an individual's body and the work of their hands, defined as the power to transform material.

Original Acquisition of Property

The process by which an individual removes something from the natural state and mixes their labor with it, joining something of their own to it and thereby making it their property.

Locke's Proviso

The condition on original acquisition stating that mixing labor with a natural resource creates ownership at least where there is enough, and as good, left in common for others.

Limits on Accumulation of Property

The restriction set by the law of nature stating that an individual can own through labor only as much as they can use in a beneficial way before it spoils, as nothing was made by God to spoil or destroy.

Free Exchange

The transfer or exchange of property between individuals that takes place without coercion, deception, fraud, or theft.

Legitimate Property Rights

Property rights or claims that are justified by a just original acquisition followed by a full history of free transfers and exchanges.