Why is one of the properties of vector spaces that it has a zero vector?

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Why do we state that "$A$ vector space has a zero vector", then we prove that for any vector space, the zero vector is unique?

Why don't we say instead (as a property) that a vector space has a unique zero vector?

Why is the property being general better?

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It is good mathematical strategy to posit the least-restrictive (most general) axioms. Saying there exists a zero vector is less-restrictive than specifying a specific such vector.

Example: Suppose you're defining the natural numbers. You could posit $0$ is in the set and the operation of adding $1$ to any member to get another member. That's all you need.

... OR you could (in principle) state that $0$ and $1$ are in the set and that you can add $2$ to any member to get another member. Sure... that would work too, but is needlessly complex and doesn't reveal the underlying structure as well.