What Is Property?: An Inquiry Into the Principle of Right and of Government

Central to Proudhon's influential work is the provocative assertion that "property is theft," which critiques capitalist notions of ownership. He argues that true property exists only when land is actively used or farmed, and goods are produced through one’s own labor. These ideas form the basis of his anarchist philosophy, challenging conventional views on property and ownership. Published in 1840, this text remains a cornerstone in discussions about property rights and economic systems.