GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST - Big government projects in many countries require compulsory sale of people’s property, sometimes in haste. Do you think this is justified?

On the one hand, such a forceful approach could lead to property rights violations. On the other hand, owners are tempted to 'blackmail' authorities, because standard procedures for such lawsuits can drag them into a legal limbo.

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Margo       October 3, 2007, 01:01
I think that when the state needs to build a road or some other important structure for the benefit of the population, it should discuss it with the community long before planning the new developement and if a reasonable agreement is reached by all parts involved, buy out the property/land for its real value + a compensation for the trouble. But this would happen only in a fair world (= not in this world).

In the real world, the state or the local authorities behave differently, moving people out of their homes/land in a traumatic way and very often without paying a fair price for the property seized.

Something similar is going on in Sochi for the Winter Olimpic Games. For the sake of an event that will last just few weeks, the lives of hundreds of people are wrecked forever. Surely they are not going to vote again for this government, so it would be wiser to deal with them fairly.

A similar situation happened recently in Tourin (Italy) and is happening in other places all the time (for motorways, military bases, shopping malls, new housing developements, etc.). In Ireland they are planning to build a stretch of motorway through Tara, the famous celtic High Kings' land. There are no homes involved, but the cultural and tourist value of this place is very significant, so the people is gathering from all over Ireland to protest and protect their historic heritage. Are they going to win their cause? We can only hope so.

Governments should listen to their people. Unfortunately, they listen much more to the interests of a bunch of developers, corporations, banks, military organizations, etc.
Dino       October 2, 2007, 16:03
Yes and No...yes if the greater good of the entire community is going to be served, examples hospitals, utilities, transportation ONLY. No... if your going to put up a "WalMart", just so the Government can collect MORE tax revenue!
Andrew       October 2, 2007, 11:38
Yes, in order for society to make progress and for the benefit of the greater good some projects will have to [require the compulsory sale]. However the question should be one of balance between public and private interests. And the focus should next be on the fair and *adequate* compensation.