Final answer:
The Fifth Amendment allows the government to take private property for public use through eminent domain, provided that just compensation is given to the owner. Public use is broadly interpreted and may include community beneficial projects like economic development, alongside traditional infrastructure such as roads and schools.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the government can take someone's private property for public use in a process known as eminent domain. This provision is explained in the Takings Clause of the amendment. It stipulates that the government may expropriate private property for public use, but it must provide just compensation to the property owner. The concept of public use is not explicitly defined in the Constitution; however, the courts have interpreted it to mean an essential benefit to the community, such as building schools, roads, or in some cases, economic development projects.
In the landmark case Kelo v. City of New London (2005), the Supreme Court ruled that economic development projects that provide a benefit to the community can be deemed as public use. As for just compensation, this means that the government is required to pay a fair market price for the property taken under eminent domain. The Fifth Amendment thus serves as a protection of individuals' economic liberty by ensuring that when property is taken for public infrastructure or benefits, owners are adequately compensated.