Final answer:
Eminent domain allows the government to acquire private property for public use with fair compensation to the owner, as stated in the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment; it has been the subject of controversy and legal reform following high-profile court cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use, on the condition that the property owner is paid just compensation. This concept is embedded in the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and has been subject to interpretations that allow for its use not only in traditional public works projects like highways and schools but also in more controversial instances such as economic redevelopment that may serve a broader definition of public use. Although eminent domain is recognized as necessary in certain circumstances, cases such as Kelo v. City of New London have brought to light its potential to be used against private homeowners, sparking legal reform and public debate regarding property rights and economic liberty.