#Some theories of private property#.

Various theories have been framed to explain the origin and to justify the existence of private property.

The occupation theory is that property is based upon the priority of claim of one who finds wealth without an owner and appropriates it.

This is not an explanation of the property rights that are arising every moment, nor does it give a logical reason for the continuance of ancient property rights.

It is a statement applying to a case that has rarely happened, the settlement of an unoccupied territory.
More adequate to explain many cases is the conquest theory, that property is based on force; for nearly all lands to-day are occupied by the descendants of conquering invaders who took the lands and natural resources from the former inhabitants, who in turn had taken them from other occupants, many centuries before.