Restoring Our Heritage of Property Rights

America’s Founders created a system of government designed to protect property rights. The Founders were influenced by the 17th century philosopher John Locke, who held that everyone who labored had a natural right to property. Property rights, he wrote, reward effort and reduce conflict. Preserving “lives, liberties, and estates” is “the great and chief end” of government.

Cover photo: Library of Congress, LC-USW361-3 DLC

Contents

• Property Rights Are Part of Our Heritage
• Eminent Domain: Kelo and Poletown
• From Economic Development to Blight
• A Modern American Value
• Regulatory Takings
• Wetlands Cases: Rapanos and Carabell
• Restoring Our Rights
• Property Rights Are Human Rights