To Locke and to the liberal theorists who followed him, private property is an essential condition for individual freedom, as well as a principal goal of its exercise. Locke’s theory of property, which has received much attention from commentators, need not detain us beyond a recognition of three elements that are central to liberal citizenship. First is the notion that individuals create property (which Locke defines broadly as ‘Lives, Liberties, and Estates’ ([1690] 1960: 395)) and gain dominion over it by investing it with their labor; second, the protection of property against public and private invasion is the most important function of law and government. Third the lawful exercise of property rights naturally produces inequalities without injustice.