Philosophy, Politics & Economics Annual Lecture 2022 Event

Is Property an Office?

"Property" is a fundamental concept in law, politics, economics and philosophy, and has been variously understood in each of these disciplines. A core understanding is that property rights give owners 'dominium', a realm of discretionary authority. Owners can do with their 'things' whatever they want - within the limits of the law. In the history of philosophy, many philosophers have argued that private property facilitates economic exchanges and hence the growth of welfare; and it also gives owners a precious space for exercising their autonomy. On the other hand, inequalities of wealth have throughout the tradition been criticized, and the domination of owners over non-owners has been a recurrent theme. In this lecture, Claassen explores an alternative understanding of property, as an 'office'. `When understood as an office, property-owners must balance their rights to do as they please, with duties to others, who may be negatively affected. This makes owning property akin to the position of political office-holders. It raises the question whether owners can be held accountable to others for fulfilling their duties. Claassen explores the basis of this alternative in a theory of representation, and outlines the strengths and weaknesses of understanding property as an office.

We are currently planning for this lecture to be in person, further information will be forwarded via email a day or two before the lecture.

The deadline for registering is 1pm on the day before the event (21/03/2022).