This book is the first large-scale effort devoted to this controversial issue, providing a vast platform of comparative knowledge on direct, indirect, categorical, and partial takings. Written for legal professionals, academics, urban and regional planners, real estate developers, and civil-society groups, the book analyzes thirteen advanced economy countries representing a variety of legal regimes, institutional structures, cultures, geographic sizes, and population densities.
One of the most pressing issues in contemporary China is the massive rural land takings that have taken place at a scale unprecedented in human history. Expropriation of land has dispossessed and displaced millions for several decades, despite the protection of property rights in the Chinese constitution. Combining meticulous doctrinal analysis with in-depth historical investigation, Chun Peng tracks the origin and evolution of China's rural land takings law over the twentieth century and demonstrates an enduring tradition of land takings for state-led social transformation, under which the takings law is designed to be power-confirming. With changed socio-political circumstances and a new rights-respecting constitutional agenda, a rebalance of the law is now underway, but only within existing parameters. Peng provides a piercing analysis of how land has been used by the largest developing country in the world to develop itself, at what costs and where the future might be.
This innovative volume offers a thorough breakdown of the issues surrounding takings compensation - payments made as reimbursement for government takeover of private property. Using examples from New York City and Taiwan, Yun-chien Chang discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of compensation and offers insightful suggestions for future implementation.
Countries around the world are heatedly debating whether property should be a constitutional right. But American lawyers have largely ignored this debate, which is divided into two clear camps: those who believe making property a constitutional right undermines democracy by fostering inequality, and those who believe it provides the security necessary to make democracy possible. In The Global Debate over Constitutional Property, Gregory Alexander recasts this discussion, arguing that both sides overlook a key problem: that constitutional protection, or lack thereof, has little bearing on how a society actually treats property. A society’s traditions and culture, Alexander argues, have a much greater effect on property rights. Laws must aim, then, to change cultural ideas of property, rather than deem whether one has the right to own it. Ultimately, Alexander builds a strong case for improving American takings law by borrowing features from the laws of other countries—particularly those laws based on the idea that owning property not only confers rights, but also entails responsibilities to society as a whole.
'This thought-provoking and skillfully executed book offers fresh theoretical and empirical insights into questions of eminent domain compensation. Chang's analysis of this interesting and important area is illuminating and sure to spark further dialogue.' – Lee Anne Fennell, University of Chicago Law School, US 'Chang's book represents the state of the art in the legal, economic, and political analysis of compensation for physical takings. Writing with analytical skill and clarity, Chang makes a strong case for fair market value compensation with financial bonuses to properly incentivize assessors.' – Daniel L. Rubinfeld, University of California, Berkeley, US This innovative volume offers a thorough breakdown of the issues surrounding takings compensation – payments made as reimbursement for government takeover of private property. Using examples from New York City and Taiwan, Yun-chien Chang discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of compensation and offers insightful suggestions for future implementation. In an effort to fill the gaps in the current literature, the author identifies the five previously recognized types of compensation – zero, current value, fair market value, economic value and project value compensation – and uses a combination of previous research and new data to determine which is the most economically efficient. In doing so, he sets out a concrete methodology for the evaluation of takings compensation strategies that should prove vital to future policy decisions. Students and professors of law, economics and public policy will find much of interest in the author's careful analysis, as will policymakers and other government officials working on similar land use issues.
A leading casebook on foreign relations law, authored by widely cited scholars who also have pertinent government experience, Foreign Relations Law: Cases and Materials, Eighth Edition examines the law that regulates how the United States interacts with other nations and with international institutions, and how it applies international law within its legal system. The book offers a compelling mix of cases, statutes, and executive branch materials, as well as extensive notes and questions and discussion of relevant historical background and scholarship. These materials guide students through both longstanding as well as cutting-edge issues of constitutional law, statutory interpretation, administrative law, and federal jurisdiction as they relate to the conduct of U.S. foreign relations. New to the Eighth Edition: A new section on economic sanctions, reflecting the growing significance of this aspect of U.S. foreign policy Expanded discussion of executive authority relating to diplomacy A new section on state international agreements More streamlined coverage of both the Alien Tort Statute and the War on Terror as a result of developments since the last edition Updated notes and questions throughout the book to take account of recent cases, statutes, Executive Branch actions, and scholarship Benefits for instructors and students: Clear and logical progression of the materials, starting with the powers of government institutions and then proceeding to specific substantive topics Coverage of both cutting-edge legal developments and relevant historical background Integration of leading scholarship into the notes and questions rather than in long excerpts of secondary materials Balanced presentation of controversial topics, with probing questions to consider in class discussions Combination of theoretical analysis with practical insights from real-world examples
When does a state measure become subject to compensation as an indirect expropriation under international law? The author examines claims of indirect takings from such fora as the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, the European Court of Human Rights, and arbitral panels in investment treaty arbitrations.
