Defending the right of Texans to own, use, and control their property without unjust government interference.
Why It Matters
Private property rights are integral to individual freedom and economic success. They ensure that individuals have the right to acquire, use, and dispose of their property without unwarranted government interference.
Protecting property rights encourages investment and economic stability. At Texas Policy Research, we advocate for policies that respect and uphold these rights, as they are crucial to maintaining a prosperous and free society.
“The great and chief end, therefore, of men’s uniting into commonwealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property.”
Second Treatise of Government
In Practice
Private property rights are a safeguard against tyranny. Without secure property rights, individuals cannot invest in their futures or plan for the long term, which undermines both personal and economic stability.
From protecting Texans from eminent domain abuse to opposing unjust government seizures or excessive taxation, we view the defense of property rights as critical to ensuring economic freedom and security. When property rights are respected, they incentivize responsible stewardship of resources and wealth creation, benefiting the broader community.
Voices & Foundations
Private property rights have been strongly defended by political thinkers who understood that the right to own property is inseparable from personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
In Two Treatises of Government, Locke argued that “life, liberty, and property” are fundamental natural rights, believing that the right to own property was intrinsic to personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
Madison echoed Locke’s sentiment, stating that “government is instituted to protect property of every sort.” Without secure property rights, economic development and personal security are jeopardized.
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