Single Idea 5291

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

Full Idea

In civil law the existing property relations are declared to be the result of the general will.

Gist of Idea

The law says private property is the result of the general will

Source

K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846], §1.C)

Book Reference

Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The German Ideology', ed/tr. Arthur,C.J. [Lawrence and Wishart 1985], p.81


A Reaction

In other words, the 'general will' is open to endless abuse, because it is defined by the current power group, which nowadays is whoever controls the mass media. Even a 'free' election doesn't prove the general will, which is a cultural thing.