Eminent Domain

Eminent domain is a concept where the government can take private land for public use, but it must provide fair compensation. Historically, this power was important for building infrastructure like roads and railways, which helped the country grow and develop. It addressed the challenge of needing public spaces and facilities while balancing private property rights. Today, eminent domain is still relevant as governments occasionally need land for public projects like schools or highways. For example, if a city needs to expand a highway to reduce traffic congestion, they might use eminent domain to buy land from homeowners to build additional lanes, impacting those living nearby.