Eminent Domain

Paper Summary:

This paper presents several example cases and recent Supreme Court decisions, which show that eminent domain may have been a valuable tool in the past but it is outmoded and unwarranted today. The author points out that it is used as a tool to benefit the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the powerless and poor because the rates paid for eminent domain properties are often far less than market value and the states and federal government are abusing the power the Constitution gave them. The paper stresses that the eminent domain laws need to be overhauled or repealed, so that every property owner in America does not have to worry that someday the local government will swoop down and take their property, leaving them with little in return.

From the Paper:

"The New London case is only the most recent case in a long line of eminent domain cases that have become increasingly valuable to developers and cities, at the expense of small property owners. In another landmark case in Detroit, Michigan, an entire city neighborhood went under the wrecking ball when industry giant General Motors (GM) wanted to build a new plant to build Cadillacs. Calling the plan an economic development project, the city eventually destroyed over 1,000 homes, along with 600 businesses and churches in the Poletown neighborhood so GM could create its assembly plant. Many opponents of eminent domain use this case to illustrate one of the major problems with these projects. Often, they do not live up to the potential they promised the city."

More papers on Eminent Domain:

• Analytical Essay # 122162 : "Civil Engineers and Eminent Domain"
• Essay # 84567 : "Eminent Domain"
• Term Paper # 119732 : "Eminent Domain and Homeowners"
• Research Paper # 113257 : "Real Estate Eminent Domain"

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