Mahoney on the Tension Between Positive and Negative Rights in Eminent Domain

Bran Frederick Mahoney, a student at George Mason, has posted The Greater Good or Property Rights? Resolving the Tension between Positive and Negative Rights in Eminent Domain on SSRN.  Here's the abstract:

This paper examines the background of takings law and differing philosophical viewpoints on individual rights. It then analyzes the balance of rights in the present use of eminent domain, and proposes solutions to current problems with eminent domain and the possible impact of these solutions on the balance of positive and negative rights.

Special attention is given to the status of blight and economic takings after Kelo v. City of New London, and what the jurisprudence in this area means for the balance of rights in the nation as a whole.

Ben Barros

[Comments are held for approval, so there will be some delay in posting]