sahiplikaitlik

Sahiplikaitlik is a term used in Turkish-language discussions of property that blends sahiplik (ownership) and aitlik (belonging). It signals a quality by which objects are not only controlled or tradable but socially and morally linked to an owner.

Origin and meaning: as a neologism in theoretical texts, sahiplikaitlik suggests that ownership entails more than legal title or economic use. It implies that objects bear a sense of belonging to the owner, tied to social recognition, responsibility, and identity. This framing shifts focus from purely transactional aspects of property to the relational and normative dimensions of ownership.

Theoretical context: in philosophy of property and legal theory, sahiplikaitlik is used to emphasize ownership as a social relationship with duties and ethical implications. It complements rights and control with considerations of stewardship, use rights, and connections to communities, histories, or individuals affected by possession.

Applications and debates: proponents argue that sahiplikaitlik helps explain why people value possessions beyond utilitarian use and how property shapes social ties and personal responsibility. Critics warn that the concept can romanticize ownership or obscure power imbalances within property regimes, especially in markets where ownership is highly commodified. It is a topic in discussions about housing policy, the commons, indigenous rights, and debates over privatization versus collective stewardship.

See also: ownership, property rights, possession, usufruct, stewardship, social ontology of objects.