This doesn't mean property exists in the same way that objects exist. A piece of property is just a protected object.
Force protects the object, sometimes the government exerts the force sometimes not.
But if I show up with a better club then all his stuff is now mine. A third party enforcing certain resource allocations with overwhelming force is different to everyone defending their own stuff.
Government is the difference between property rights and might-makes-right.
Bingo. Ownership exists without government - ownership exists to the extent others respect the claim.
Government is the difference between property rights and might-makes-right.
Governments are legitimate because of their might. Why do you think the basic social contract between authorities and the governed is "obedience for protection"?