Single Idea 19875

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights]

Full Idea

The 'labour' being the unquestionable property of the labourer, no man but he can have a right to what that is once joined to, at least where there is enough, and as good left in common for others.

Gist of Idea

A man's labour gives ownership rights - as long as there are fair shares for all

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 027)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.130


A Reaction

The qualification at the end is a crucial (and problematic) addition to his theory. What is the situation when an area of wilderness is 98% owned? What of the single source of water? Who gets the best parts? Getting there first seems crucial.

Related Ideas

Idea 19872 The animals and fruits of the earth belong to mankind [Locke]

Idea 19873 We all own our bodies, and the work we do is our own [Locke]

Idea 19874 If a man mixes his labour with something in Nature, he thereby comes to own it [Locke]