This is an attempt to answer the question, “what is justice?” in as few words as possible:

All human beings are created equal in one way only: no one has an inherent right to rule over another.

Based on this equality, all human beings own themselves.

Self-ownership means exclusive use and disposal of one’s body, thoughts, words, deeds, and legitimately acquired possessions (i.e., “life, liberty, and estates”), called by the general name of “property.”

Everyone has a right to his or her property (and nothing else). No one may violate the property of another.

Property may be exchanged only with the mutual, voluntary consent of all parties.

“Justice” is the preservation of property or the making whole of someone whose property has been violated.

Injustice is violation of property.

Tom Mullen is the author of Where Do Conservatives and Liberals Come From? And What Ever Happened to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? Part One and A Return to Common Sense: Reawakening Liberty in the Inhabitants of America.

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