David James is Reader in Philosophy at the University of Warwick. His previous publications include Rousseau and German Idealism: Freedom, Dependence and Necessity (Cambridge, 2013), and Practical Necessity, Freedom, and History: From Hobbes to Marx (2021).

• Introduction: 1. The mystery of the right to property; 2. The concept of property and forms of property; 3. Property, freedom and enlightenment: Kant's Rechtslehre; 4. Fichte on property and labour; 5. Property and ethical life: Hegel's system of right; 6. Equality, exchange value and individuality: Marx's critique of private property; Concluding remark; Bibliography; Index.

'Property and its Forms in Classical German Philosophy challenges the liberal, 'pre-political' conception of private property stemming from John Locke that is familiar and standard in contemporary political philosophy. The book examines and defends four alternative, powerful accounts of property-from Kant, Fichte, Hegel, and Marx-that have a social component to what is mine and thine. James's thorough, learned discussion contributes not only to our understanding of German political thought but also to fundamental inquiries into the nature and basis of modern liberal capitalism.' Jeffrey Church, University of Houston