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The "Self-Defeating Morality" of the Lockean Proviso

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  • Makovi, Michael

Abstract

Locke's theory of appropriation includes the “Lockean Proviso,” that one may appropriate ownerless resources only if one leaves enough for others. The Proviso is normative and obviously may be rejected on normative grounds. But it is less obvious that it may have to be rejected for positive reasons. According to Hoppe, private property is a means for minimizing social conflict under conditions of scarcity. But the Lockean Proviso would actually exacerbate social conflict. According to Demsetz, property emerges precisely when scarcity arises and there is not enough left for everyone. Accordingly, the Lockean Proviso may be logically incompatible with the very purposes of the establishment of property. Or the Proviso may constitute what Derek Parfit calls "self-defeating morality." Several adaptations of the Proviso – including Nozick's – are rejected as well, based on the impossibility of interpersonal comparisons of subjective utility and the problem of economic calculation.

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  • Makovi, Michael, 2015. "The "Self-Defeating Morality" of the Lockean Proviso," MPRA Paper 65621, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:65621
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Murray Rothbard, 1982. "Law, Property Rights, and Air Pollution," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 2(1), pages 55-99, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. Walter E. BLOCK & Michael R. EDELSTEIN, 2020. "Rejoinder To Nelson On Nature Preserves," Romanian Economic Business Review, Romanian-American University, vol. 15(1), pages 46-56, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Locke; Nozick; appropriation; proviso; property;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • K3 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law

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