Proudhon

proo-doN', Pierre Joseph (1809-1865), a French writer. He was born in Besancon and died at Paris. His father was a cooper. He attended the university of his native place for a time and learned the business of printing. He was an ingenious, studious man. In 1838 he contributed a treatise on general grammar to the academy of Besancon, for which he received a grant of $300 for three years. He then turned his attention to political economy. He is known as the founder of philosophical anarchy. In 1840 he published his famous work, What Is Property? His own answer was, "It is theft." His political writings gave offense to the French government. He was fined frequently. Anarchistic papers started by him were suppressed. More than once he found it desirable to leave the country. According to his theory all increase in wealth is due to labor and should be divided among the laborers. Profits should be distributed in the form of wages. Individual wealth, resulting from merchandising, manufacturing, and the like, should be rendered impossible. See Socialism