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Single Idea 21734

[from 'Are Freedom and Equality Compatible?' by G.A. Cohen, in 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights ]

Full Idea

One may plausibly say of external things in their initial state, of raw land and natural resources, that no person has a greater right to them than any other does.

Gist of Idea

It is plausible that no one has an initial right to own land and natural resources

Source

G.A. Cohen (Are Freedom and Equality Compatible? [1986], 1)

Book Reference

'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Goodin,RE/Pettit,P [Blackwell 2006], p.418


A Reaction

How about if your group has lived on that plot for fifty generations, and some interlopers arrive and claim part of it. No one thought of 'owning' it till the interlopers arrived. Native Americans and Australians.