Eminent Domain and Economic Growth

Eminent domain is integral to a government's legal ability to take private property for a public purpose. If used correctly, the owners are paid the fair market value for their property, few citizens are inconvenienced and everyone benefits. Bad-faith abuses of eminent domain typically make the front pages of news outlets, and receive news coverage from television stations, in cities throughout our nation. To educate citizens and prevent future abuse, this book exposes both the good and the bad aspects of government's ability to use their power of eminent domain to acquire private property.

Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, Ph.D., is Mayor George Christopher Professor of Government and Russell T. Sharpe Professor of Business at Golden Gate University. He has worked on government reform, integrity, and ethics training projects with the World Bank, the Institute on Governance (Canada), the Inter-American Development Bank, and the governments of the U.S., Philippines, Sinapore, and China. Roger L. Kemp, Ph.D., has been a city manager on both the East and West coasts for more than 25 years and holds International City/County Management Association credentials. He has taught at the University of California, Rutgers University, the University of New Haven, and the University of Connecticut. He is a distinguished adjunct professor in the Executive MPA Program at Golden Gate University.