Property Rights Are Human Rights. And Vice Versa

Lynne Kiesling

Jacob Sullum’s Reason column about the New York Times’ support of the Kelo decision is incisive (and well titled!). My favorite part:

The nonchalance of the Times regarding eminent domain abuse is of a piece with its derogation of property rights, which it sees as inferior to so-called human rights. (Try to imagine the Times running a celebratory editorial on “The Limits of Human Rights.”) Yet property rights are human rights: Your ownership of your house stems from your ownership of your body and the fruits of your labor.

In this light, all rights are property rights, without which it would be impossible to exercise, say, freedom of religion or freedom of the press.

Yes. It cannot be repeated firmly enough or frequently enough. Property rights are human rights.