"Examination of the origin and extent of property rights has in recent years become a major concern of economists, lawyers, political scientists, and other scholars. This slender yet well-researched and well-argued volume continues this inquiry into property rights....an interesting book." -- Choice

• List of figures and tables; Preface and acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Classical theories of the origin of rights: the social contract; 2. Neo-classical theories of the origin of property rights: non-strategic individuals in a world without politics; 3. A game theoretic approach: contemporary theory of institutions; 4. A neo-liberal theory of the state: the role of government in the evolution of property rights; 5. A neo-liberal theory of the social contract: the role of autonomous individuals in the evolution of property rights; 6. Political entrepreneurs: the linkage between autonomous individuals and central agents; 7. A case study: the grant of private property rights in air slots; Conclusion: the political origin of human rights; References; Index.

"Examination of the origin and extent of property rights has in recent years become a major concern of economists, lawyers, political scientists, and other scholars. This slender yet well-researched and well-argued volume continues this inquiry into property rights....an interesting book." -- Choice

• List of figures and tables; Preface and acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Classical theories of the origin of rights: the social contract; 2. Neo-classical theories of the origin of property rights: non-strategic individuals in a world without politics; 3. A game theoretic approach: contemporary theory of institutions; 4. A neo-liberal theory of the state: the role of government in the evolution of property rights; 5. A neo-liberal theory of the social contract: the role of autonomous individuals in the evolution of property rights; 6. Political entrepreneurs: the linkage between autonomous individuals and central agents; 7. A case study: the grant of private property rights in air slots; Conclusion: the political origin of human rights; References; Index.