Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which phrase in the U.S. Constitution addresses the power to seize property?

1. Due process

2. Taxation without representation

3. Eminent domain

4. Checks and balances

The correct answer is: Eminent domain

The phrase that addresses the power to seize property in the U.S. Constitution is "eminent domain." This principle allows the government to take private property for public use, provided that they offer just compensation to the property owner. Eminent domain is rooted in the Fifth Amendment, which includes the provision that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. This means that while the government has the authority to seize property, there are protections in place to ensure that property owners receive fair payment for their loss. Understanding eminent domain is essential for grasping how property rights function within the framework of government powers and individual rights. It underscores the balance between the needs of the public for infrastructure and public services and the rights of individuals to retain their property. The other options do not pertain to the government's power to seize property: due process relates to legal fairness, taxation without representation addresses the principle of fair taxation, and checks and balances refer to the system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.