Wrong Side of the Law: For a Social History of Property - Márcia Motta

A History of Property from the Bottom Up

In her groundbreaking book, Wrong Side of the Law: For a Social History of Property, Márcia Motta challenges the traditional view of property as a natural right, arguing instead that it is a social construct that has been shaped by power relations throughout history. Drawing on a wealth of historical sources, Motta shows how property has been used to dispossess and exploit marginalized communities, and how it has been used to justify violence and oppression.

Property and Power

Motta argues that property is not simply a matter of ownership, but also of power. Those who own property have more power than those who do not, and they can use that power to shape the world in their own interests. For example, wealthy landowners have often used their power to exploit poor farmers and laborers, and they have used the law to protect their own interests at the expense of the poor.

Property and Dispossession

Motta also shows how property has been used to dispossess indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities. For example, in the United States, the government has often taken land from Native Americans and given it to white settlers. In Brazil, the government has often given land to large landowners, who have then evicted the poor farmers who live on the land.

Property and Violence

Motta argues that property is often linked to violence. For example, the wealthy often use violence to protect their property from the poor. In the United States, the police have often been used to suppress protests by poor people and to protect the property of the wealthy.

A Call for a New Social History of Property

Motta concludes by calling for a new social history of property that takes into account the experiences of marginalized communities. She argues that we need to understand how property has been used to oppress and exploit people, and we need to develop new ways of thinking about property that are more just and equitable.

Why You Should Read This Book

Wrong Side of the Law: For a Social History of Property is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of property, the relationship between property and power, or the role of property in social inequality. Motta's book is a powerful indictment of the current system of property ownership, and it offers a vision for a more just and equitable future.

Praise for Wrong Side of the Law

"A brilliant and provocative book that challenges our most basic assumptions about property. Motta's work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the role of property in social inequality." —Nancy Fraser, author of Scales of Justice

"A powerful and important book that sheds new light on the history of property and its role in social inequality. Motta's work is a major contribution to the field of social history." —Walter Johnson, author of River of Dark Dreams

"A must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of property, the relationship between property and power, or the role of property in social inequality. Motta's book is a powerful indictment of the current system of property ownership, and it offers a vision for a more just and equitable future." —Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Freedom Dreams