Private Property and the Fear of Social Chaos

This book explores the idea of private property and the fear of social chaos that surrounds it. It charts the thinkers who laid the foundations for how we understand private property and looks at how their ideas have been put into practice in ways that continue to shape the modern world. The book argues that the spectre of 'the mob' has been intimately interconnected with the idea of private property throughout capitalist modernity and narrates this history from the early colonization of the Americas to Silicon Valley and the future of human colonization in space.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This captivating book delves into the intricate realm of private property and the profound fears and aspirations that accompany it in a world where it holds dominant sway. Within the propertied imagination, private property is portrayed as a delicate entity, constantly besieged by menacing adversaries and plagued by racial and gendered divisions. These adversaries range from Levellers and Diggers, socialists and anarchists, fervent religious radicals, abolitionists, feminists, and haughty welfare-state bureaucrats. The history of private property, therefore, becomes a narrative of recurring nightmares, where one or more of these groups threaten to storm the castle and seize control. This looming threat of social chaos serves as the central thread that unites the book's narrative.

To explore the origins and implications of private property, the book begins by tracing the intellectual foundations laid by prominent thinkers such as Locke, Burke, Marx, and Engels. It examines how their ideas have been implemented in various ways throughout history, shaping the modern world in profound ways. From the housing policies of Harry Truman to the anti-abolitionist sentiments of George Fitzhugh, and from Margaret Thatcher's economic reforms to Elon Musk's visionary initiatives, the book showcases how these thinkers' ideas continue to resonate in contemporary society.

One of the book's key arguments is that the specter of "the mob" has been intricately linked with the concept of private property throughout the course of capitalist modernity. The book ambitiously spans a vast historical timeline, from the early colonization of the Americas to the technological hub of Silicon Valley, and even considers the future of human colonization in space. Through this comprehensive narrative, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between private property, social hierarchies, and the forces that shape our collective destiny.

This thought-provoking book offers a valuable perspective on the ongoing debates surrounding property rights, social inequality, and the future of human civilization. It challenges readers to consider the ethical and societal implications of private property and encourages them to explore alternative models of ownership and distribution that can lead to a more equitable and sustainable world. Whether you are an economist, historian, or simply someone interested in the dynamics of power and society, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complex and ever-evolving relationship between private property and social order.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 146 x 224 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526165701