The Classical Lockean Picture and its Difficulties

These lectures will address the relation between property rights and the rule of law in a way that reflects a realistic understanding of how property rights are created and modified.  The title of the lecture series uses the Lockean phrase "the measure of property" but the gist of Professor Waldron's argument will be that we need to focus on all the ways in which property is non-Lockean in its origin, legal status, and moral force. The lectures will uncover some of the naive assumptions underlying the tight connection that has been forged between property rights and the rule of law in neo-liberal political economy. Professor Waldron will argue that we can abandon or modify some of these assumptions without compromising the very great importance that is properly attached to the ideal of the rule of law.

Lecture 2 Unravelling the Form and Substance of Property
Wednesday 11 May 2011, 5.00pm
Ramphal Lecture Theatre (RO.21)
Library Road, University of Warwick
Coventry CV4 7AL      

Lecture 3 Reconceiving the Relation between Property and the Rule of Law
Thursday 12 May 2011, 6.00pm
Council Chamber, Institute of Advanced
Legal Studies, Charles Clore House
17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DR