How To Value Community In The Wake Of Kelo Vs. New London

An editor outlines a plan that would allow for concessions to be made to long-standing members of the community in case of government displacement.

1 minute read

July 8, 2005, 5:00 AM PDT

By Brenda Meyer

"In sum, the appreciated market value of the property goes to the owner. The appreciated community and social value of the property goes to the occupant. Such a policy begins to internalize the social value of property into the cost-benefit equation. That is as it should be. A municipal corporation, unlike a private corporation, should take into account the costs of dislocation to the individual and the neighborhood.

The "just compensation" debate forces us to decide whether, and how, we value community, rootedness, continuity, cohesion, connectedness. Having answered that question we can move on to the $64,000 question. Under what circumstances should the eminent domain power be exercised?"

Thanks to Brenda Meyer

FULL STORY: The Politics of Land Grabbing

Thursday, July 7, 2005 in AlterNet

Government / Politics United States

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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