Pros of Eminent Domain

"Eminent Domain is critical for local redevelopment efforts. Without it, it would be virtually impossible for a city to assemble a multi-parcel piece of property for redevelopment." - John Bowers, executive director of the Arizona Association for Economic Development

Because I agree with Mr. Bowers, I negate that the use of the state's power of eminent domain to promote private enterprise is unjust.

To make ensure there are no misconceptions in interpreting the resolution, I provide the following definitions. The American Heritage Dictionary fourth edition defines "state" as relating to one of the territorial and political units composing a federation under a sovereign government. "Eminent domain" is defined as the right of the government to appropriate private property for public use, usually with compensation to the owner. "Private enterprise" is defined as business activities unregulated by state ownership or control. Through Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, "unjust" is the same as "in just". Plato defined injustice as contempt for societal good.

My value for this round will be social welfare which is important because it provides a rational decision making basis when the individual members of society have varying opinions on an issue. This value relates to the resolution because social welfare is the state's basis on using eminent domain to promote business in the community.

My criterion will be Rousseau's General Will. The criterion is important because the citizens of a properly-contracted civil society are guided by the general will, rather than by their conflicting individual self-interests. This criterion achieves my value premise because when the most good for the greatest number of people is created in the community, the measure of social welfare is favorable.

My first contention is the state's use of its power of eminent domain to promote private enterprise is necessary to create an economically prosperous society. When a big business is built in an area, it creates more jobs. More jobs mean more people, more business, more products being sold, and more kids being enrolled in area schools. Also with more jobs, there is more money flowing in the economy. In the business cycle, a greater flow of money escalates the economy into a peak. During a peak, sales are high, housing starts are up, and personal income rises. Another way the state's use of eminent domain creates economic development is with a greater number of businesses in an area, the government receives more money in taxes. More tax money constitutes more money for public welfare. The government will have more money to spend on better education, better roads, libraries, and parks. The entire community benefits from the economic development that businesses bring to an area. Even though the government may take the property that a company uses to build its business on, the land owner is compensated, and the land ends up benefiting a greater number of the public. When a parcel of land benefits more people under the direction of a business, then the General Will is served. Meeting the needs of a greater number in society, achieves my value of a healthy social welfare.

My second contention is that economic development improves quality of life. The state's use of eminent domain to promote private enterprise makes unprofitable or blighted land, profitable. Widespread unemployment and poverty threaten the safety of citizens. A neighborhood in which people are poor but employed is different from a neighborhood in which people are poor and jobless. Eminent domain solves this problem by bringing the jobs that big businesses provide into the neighborhood. Jobs keep people in the workplace and off the streets. Also, with more jobs in a community, there is a greater cash flow, which in turn creates profit. More money to spend improves the quality of life. When the overall quality of life is enhanced in a community, the General Will is served. For example, the revitalization of a blighted neighborhood which serves the General Will by benefiting the community, in turn achieves a progressive state of social welfare.

The state's use of eminent domain to promote private enterprise is justified on the grounds that public benefit is equal to public use. An economically prosperous society and improved quality of life are public benefits experienced from the state's use of eminent domain. The takings clause of the Fifth Amendment states, "Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." When public use, either for business or recreation, comes out of eminent domain, the state's use of eminent domain to promote private enterprise is justified.