John Locke and Private Property essays

John Locke and Private Property essays John Locke believes that man has a right to private property. According to Locke, God gave man this plentiful earth, with all of its plants and animals, to work on and nourish our bodies with. God gave us this earth to make use of it to the best advantage of life, and convenience (135). Since our bodies are properly ours, the labour of his [our] body is also properly ours, so whatsoever then he removes out of the state... thereby makes it his property (136). Locke is very clear and concise on this premise. Locke then describes why it is just for individuals to claim parts of Gods gift to all of man in common (135). Locke explains that the labor involved in removing things out of its state of nature puts a distinction between them and common (136). Therefore, he explains, it is the taking any part of what is common, and removing it out of the state of nature leaves it in, which begins the property (136). In short, labor creates property. However, this same theory also limits the amount of property one can have. Since God gave us the earth to use to the best advantage of life, anyone who lets the land perish and rot has offended against the common law of nature (140). Therefore, one can only possess as much land as they can cultivate and use, without wasting anything. Locke does point out, however, that giving things away, or trading them, before they perish is permissible. However, Locke explains that the agreement to use money changes this natural limitation. Money is not like fruit, crops or cattle, because it cannot perish: Money knows no limit (135). Therefore, there is no limit to the private wealth we can accumulate as long as we trade our perishable goods for that imperishable store of value, money (135). Lockes theory is very well thought out. However, in terms of money, ...