I would like to start of my new series of posts on anarchist theory to start at one of the foundations of the theory. Property Norms.
To start of with lets start with the definition of norm. When I use it I mean "a rule or initial understanding within a group that aims to reduce conflict between individuals."
So the Property Norm states: "Every person is the exclusive owner of his/her own body. This is also known as the principle of self ownership."
If this is a norm then we must assume that this goes for respecting other peoples agency by not initiating unwanted use of physical force. The self ownership principle only allows for actions that respects other peoples agency.
How do I get property under the Private Property norm?
There's two ways you can attain property. Original appropriation or voluntary exchange.
Original appropriation refers to when one mixes his/her labor with an unowned good. This is also commonly referred to as homesteading or first-user rule.
Voluntary exchange is when one wants to acquire goods that are owned by someone else and uses exchanges of different kinds under the private property norm to obtain the title of the owned goods.
What does Hans-Herman Hoppe have to say about Private Property Norms?
Contrary to the frequently heard claim that the institution of private property is the only convention, it must categorically stated: a convention serves a purpose, and it is something to which an alternative exists. The Latin alphabet, for instance, serves a purpose of written communication and there exists an alternative to it,the Cryllic alphabet. That is why it is referred to as a convention.
What, however is the purpose of action norms? If no interpersonal conflict existed - that is: if, due to a prestabilized harmony of all interests, no situation ever arose in which two or more people want to use one and the same good in incompatible ways - then no norms would be needed. It is the purpose of norms to help avoid otherwise unavoidable conflict. A norm that generates conflict rather than helping to avoid it is contrary to the very purpose of norms. It is a dysfunctional norm or a perversion... With regard to the purpose of conflict avoidance. However, the institution of private property is definitely not just a convention, because no other alternative to it exists. Only private (exclusive) property makes it possible that all otherwise unavoidable conflicts can be avoided. And only the principle of property makes it possible that all otherwise unavoidable conflicts can be avoided. And only the principle of property acquisition through acts of original appropriation, performed by specific individuals at a specific time and location, makes it possible to avoid conflict from the beginning of mankind onward, because only the first appropriation of some previously unappropriated food can be conflict-free - simply, because - per definitionem - no one else had any previous dealings with the good.
