If legal scholar Richard Epstein is right, then the New Deal is wrong, if not unconstitutional. Epstein reaches this sweeping conclusion after making a detailed analysis of the eminent domain, or takings, clause of the Constitution, which states that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. In contrast to the other guarantees in the Bill of Rights, the eminent domain clause has been interpreted narrowly. It has been invoked to force the government to compensate a citizen when his land is taken to build a post office, but not when its value is diminished by a comprehensive zoning ordinance. Epstein argues that this narrow interpretation is inconsistent with the language of the takings clause and the political theory that animates it. He develops a coherent normative theory that permits us to distinguish between permissible takings for public use and impermissible ones. He then examines a wide range of government regulations and taxes under a single comprehensive theory. He asks four questions: What constitutes a taking of private property? When is that taking justified without compensation under the police power? When is a taking for public use? And when is a taking compensated, in cash or in kind? Zoning, rent control, progressive and special taxes, workers’ compensation, and bankruptcy are only a few of the programs analyzed within this framework. Epstein’s theory casts doubt upon the established view today that the redistribution of wealth is a proper function of government. Throughout the book he uses recent developments in law and economics and the theory of collective choice to find in the eminent domain clause a theory of political obligation that he claims is superior to any of its modern rivals.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. Some years ago I wrote an article on the right of eminent domain for the "Law Quarterly Review." My interest in the subject led me to write the following treatise. While I have availed myself of the work of previous writers on eminent domain, especially the learned researches of Mr. Mills and Mr. Lewis, I have not accepted text-book statements of law because of faith in their sponsors, but have tested them by examination of the adjudged cases. The responsibility of an author for all errors of omission or commission I accept literally, for I have not only examined every case cited, but have performed the whole work of searching for cases. It has been my endeavor to present the law of eminent domain as it obtains in this country, with such reference to foreign, especially English, law as will accentuate the peculiarities of our own law or illustrate the principles common to both. I had not progressed far in my research before I became embarrassed with the great and constantly increasing mass of case law. Two courses were open to me, -- to cite all cases interpreting the voluminous condemnation laws of the several States, and attempt to set forth the minutiae of local practice; or to state as simply and clearly as possible the principles of the law, together with those cardinal rules of procedure which, once apprehended, will guide the practitioner through all the variations of local and transitory practice. I chose the latter course. The social and political bearings of the right of eminent domain are pronounced, and the field for speculation and suggestion is tempting and profitable. But this field is beyond my province. This much I may say here, however, -- those who view the power of the state exemplified in the right

Excerpt from The Law of Eminent Domain: In the United States Jurisdictional Limits of Eminent Domain. State cannot expropri ate Property in another State. Extra-territorial Servitudes. State cannot injuriously affect Property beyond its Borders. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.