Reinterpreting Property

This collection of essays by one of the country’s leading property theorists revitalizes the liberal personality theory of property.

Departing from traditional libertarian and economic theories of property, Margaret Jane Radin argues that the law should take into account nonmonetary personal value attached to property—and that some things, such as bodily integrity, are so personal they should not be considered property at all. Gathered here are pieces ranging from Radin’s classic early essay on property and personhood to her recent works on governmental “taking” of private property.

Margaret Jane Radin is professor of law at Stanford University. She is the author of over twenty-five articles on legal and political theory.