The Sociology of Property Rights

Property rights matter for their effects on economic inequality and economic performance, and they unfold at the intersection of law, the state, politics, and the economy. Five dimensions of property are discussed: the objects of property (what can be owned), the subjects of property (who can own),...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of sociology 2004-01, Vol.30 (1), p.23-46
Main Authors: Carruthers, Bruce G., Ariovich, Laura
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Business structures
Capitalism
Commodification
Culture
Eastern Europe
Economic Development
Economic Sociology
General studies. Economic systems
Income inequality
Inequality
Intangible assets
Intellectual property
Intellectual property law
Law
Middle Ages
Peoples Republic of China
Political and Economic Sociology
Postcommunist Societies
Power
Private property
Property
Property inheritance
Property ownership
Property Rights
Right of property
Russia
Social aspects
Sociology
Sociology of economy and development
Transition economies
Transitional economies
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Summary:Property rights matter for their effects on economic inequality and economic performance, and they unfold at the intersection of law, the state, politics, and the economy. Five dimensions of property are discussed: the objects of property (what can be owned), the subjects of property (who can own), the uses of property (what can be done with it), the enforcement of rights (how property rules are maintained), and the transfer of property (how property moves between different owners). We offer examples of how property rights systems vary along these dimensions and how they change over time. We illustrate the arguments with two contemporary empirical cases: the transition economies of Eastern and Central Europe, Russia, and China, and the transformation of intellectual property rights.
ISSN:0360-0572
1545-2115
DOI:10.1146/annurev.soc.30.012703.110538