Page "Individualist anarchism" Paragraph 18

Godwin supported individual ownership of property, defining it as " the empire to which every man is entitled over the produce of his own industry.

" However, he also advocated that individuals give to each other their surplus property on the occasion that others have a need for it, without involving trade ( e. g. gift economy ).

Thus, while people have the right to private property, they should give it away as enlightened altruists.

This was to be based on utilitarian principles ; he said: " Every man has a right to that, the exclusive possession of which being awarded to him, a greater sum of benefit or pleasure will result than could have arisen from its being otherwise appropriated.

" However, benevolence was not to be enforced, being a matter of free individual " private judgement.

" He did not advocate a community of goods or assert collective ownership as is embraced in communism, but his belief that individuals ought to share with those in need was influential on the later development of anarchist communism.