Property Rights
Herbert Spencer on human nature and the right to property (1851)
Found in: Social Statics (1851)
An argument fatal to the communist theory, is suggested by the fact, that a desire for property is one of the elements of our nature. ... And if a propensity to personal acquisition be really a component of man’s constitution, then that cannot be a right form of society which affords it no scope. ... it is also true that no change in the state of society will alter its nature and its office. To whatever extent moderated, it must still be a desire for personal acquisition. Whence it follows that a system affording opportunity for its exercise must ever be retained; which means, that the system of private property must be retained; and this presupposes a right of private property, for by right we mean that which harmonizes with the human constitution as divinely ordained.