Eminent Domain

Note: I’m entering a domain better left to experts, but I think the ramifications of this Supreme Court decision will be felt here in Pittsburgh.

Awhile back, I mentioned a case coming before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding eminent domain — they power of a government to take private property for “public use” development. Today, the high court ruled in favor the New London government, allowing the city to take private property (even against the wishes of the land owners) for public development. Their argument? A local government knows what’s best for local economic development. Of course, who is first beneficiary of property taken via eminent domain? The private developers. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was clear about this in her dissent:

Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms.

My politics are pretty hard to pin down, especially when viewed within the red/blue lenses most folks like to wear. I may lean toward big C Conservatism, but this decision makes me uncomfortable for rather libertarian reasons — I’m just not comfortable with the idea of a government having the power to take private property for “economic” development. As O’Connor pointed out, perhaps many years down the road, those who were displaced will feel the positive economic effects of their government’s action, but those private developers who gain business will always be first beneficiaries (I hear those trickle-down economists arguing already — “but the development will create jobs!” My response? Why not just randomly raze and rebuild parts of the infrastructure every few years to create more jobs?). And of course, those families being displaced by the New London government will probably not be enjoy the development, since it will include a hotel, an office park, and a health club. Looking out for the best interests of the citizens indeed.