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Salman 1

Nataly Salman
Mr. Brook
Economics
Carte Blanche
In the United States, the Bill of Rights protects the basic rights and freedoms of every
American. The Fifth Amendment has five parts to it, one of them stating, ...nor shall private
property be taken for public use, without just compensation. However, in 2005, the Supreme court
ruled that the principle of eminent domain is 100% constitutional. Eminent Domain is the right of
a government to take private property for public use as long as they pay the person a fair amount for
the property being taken. I believe this concept is acceptable as long as the government pays a fair
amount, uses the property for programs and use that will benefit economics, and, most importantly,
satisfy the peoples needs.
Knowing that the rules of eminent domain have slightly changed over time and that just
compensation isnt always fair, paying a reasonable price is the first step before government can
take private property for public use. The money paid should always correspond to the value of the
property. By doing so, it is ensured that the trade-off is fair and just, according to the fifth
amendment. For example, if an elderly man living only with his dog is forced to sell his home to the
government for only half of what it is worth, he should be able to refuse. However, just because the
government has the right to take private property when it is necessary does not mean that the
trade-off is fair. The price may be reasonable to the government official, but the elderly man should
be able to refuse to sell his home if he feels that it is not. Government may also be able to take
property for public use if there is a price met in the middle to compromise. All of these scenarios are
possible trade-offs for the right of just compensation provided by the fifth.

Salman 2

Economy is an important aspect when considering the well-being of the people. The taking
of private property from citizens to the government should not only include a fair trade-off, but
should also benefit and encourage economic development. By making little changes to who has
what property, the entire society can benefit, and the value of the dollar will also increase. As
businesses are built; jobs are available, products are produced, consumers start to consume, and
money starts to flow. This, therefore, helps develop or improve the economic status of the state. If
no changes are made to the environment, society, or the market, there isnt a way that the economic
status of a state will change.
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Last but not least, satisfaction of the majority of people is mandatory when making changes.

After all, majority rules and the people are the most important characteristic when referring to
the U.S government. Therefore, the third and final property to look at when deciding if eminent
domain should fairly be put into effect is if the process will benefit and satisfy the majority of the
peoples needs. An example of this would be if an abondoned company gets turned into a shopping
mall. This would be acceptable because an unuseful, unproductive factory will turn into something
that could benefit consumers, producers, and the government. This helps a poor neighborhood
develop into an economic market. Building of roads can also benefit society, considering it makes
transportation easier and quicker.
The government may take private property as long as they: 1. Pay a fair amount. 2. Use the
property to benefit the economy. 3. Satisfy the people. Anything otherwise would go against the
constitution and would be selfish and could be considered a wrest. Every action taken by the U.S.
Government should appeal to the constitution and favor the peoples opinions, as well as respect the
theory of majority rule.
SOURCES: Page 75 of Economics, Prentice Hall.

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