Reinterpreting Property

Though the law of property affects many Americans' everyday lives and most basic rights, America's legal culture continues to struggle over how to explain or justify the institution of property. This collection of essays aims to revitalize the liberal personality theory of property. Margaret Jane Radin argues that the law should take into account non-monetary personal value attached to property and that some things, such as bodily integrity, are so personal they should not be considered property at all. Prefaced by a new introduction outlining the development of Radin's thought and addressing the various critiques that her position has elicited, this collection gathers pieces ranging from Radin's early essay on property and personhood to her more recent works on takings. The essays serve as a counterpoint to more conservative - and widespread - economic theories of property.