This work investigates the origins of liberal democratic theory by examining the concept of possessive individualism in the writings of seventeenth-century political thinkers. C. B. Macpherson, a prominent political theorist, argues that the foundations of modern liberalism are rooted in a specific conception of the individual as the proprietor of their own person and capacities. By analyzing the works of Thomas Hobbes, the Levellers, James Harrington, and John Locke, he demonstrates how these thinkers integrated market-based assumptions into their political frameworks. This analysis provides a critical perspective on the historical development of individual rights and property relations.

Scholars frequently cite this text as a seminal critique of liberal political theory and its relationship to capitalist development. While some critics debate the historical accuracy of Macpherson's interpretations, the book remains a foundational reference for students of political philosophy and economic history.