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.