In civil society, everyone also recognizes my property in public. It is no longer enough that I have something. The others must recognize it as mine.

How does this happen?

Through fixed forms. People set boundary stones. They enter plots of land in a land register. They make contracts before a notary. Most property now rests on such contracts.

Do we really need this?

Some people get angry about such formalities. They think these only help the state to make money. Or they see a sign of mistrust in them: In the old days, a man’s word was enough.

But the form has a purpose. Through it, my right becomes firm and safe. It no longer depends on the mood or the memory of one person.

A look back:

At the start of the history of right, the forms were long-winded. People often took the ceremony for the thing itself. Many such old formulas remained in Roman law.

Summary: In society, property needs fixed forms like contracts and registers. They are not a sign of mistrust. They make right safe, and they make others recognize it.