Final answer:
The right of the government to take private property for public use is called eminent domain, which is sanctioned by the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Eminent domain has been historically used for public works but has been expanded to include economic development, leading to substantial controversy and subsequent legal restrictions.
Explanation:
The government's right to seize private property is established through the concept of eminent domain, which is backed by the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This clause ensures that private property can only be taken for public use, given that there is just compensation provided to the property owner.
Historically, the exercise of eminent domain has been accepted predominantly for public works projects, such as roads and infrastructure. However, the Kelo v. City of New London case expanded the interpretation of 'public use' to include economic development projects intended to benefit the community economically. The controversy over this case led to legal reform, highlighting the tension between economic liberty and government authority.
Following the Kelo decision, many states passed laws to restrict the use of eminent domain. The Private Property Rights Protection Act is one such example, aiming to prevent excesses by local governments in utilizing eminent domain for private economic development unconnected to a traditional concept of public use. This has centered the debate on the balance between public good and the protection of private property rights.
Eminent domain remains a complex issue that involves evaluating the balance of economic development and property owners' rights, especially when the property involved belongs to lower- and middle-class homeowners.