ABSTRACT
TherighttoownpropertyindividuallyisdeeplyembeddedinmodemWesternsociety(Hann 1998).Itwasarticulatedclearlyforthefirsttimeinthe17thcenturybytheEnlightenment philosopherJohnLocke,whoarguedthateveryindividualhasapropertyinhisownpersonas wellasarighttotheproductofhisownlabour(Rowley1993:13).Inhisview,individuals couldcreatepropertyrightsoutofthecommonpoolofnaturalresourcesbymixingtheir labourwiththoseresourcesandannexingthem:'...noManbuthecanhavearighttowhat thatisoncejoynedto,atleastwherethereisenoughandasgoodleftincommonforothers' (citedinRowleyibid.).
