Entitlement Theory

Entitlement theory, primarily developed by philosopher Robert Nozick, posits that individuals have rights to their holdings—such as property or wealth—if they acquired them through just means, like fair exchange or self-ownership. It focuses on the processes of acquisition and transfer, emphasizing that people are entitled to the results of their legitimate actions. In essence, it rejects redistributive justice if it means violating these entitlements, arguing that voluntary transactions should determine ownership rather than government intervention. Thus, fairness in distribution is based on respecting individuals' rights to their own possessions.