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Simple English definitions for legal terms
expropriation
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A quick definition of expropriation:
Expropriation: When the government takes someone's property or changes their rights to it, usually for the good of the public. This is allowed by the law, but the government must pay the owner a fair price for the property. It's like when a teacher takes a toy away from a student to share with the whole class, but gives the student something else in return.
A more thorough explanation:
Expropriation is when the government takes away someone's property or changes their property rights, usually for the public good. The government must provide "just compensation" for the property taken, according to the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
One example of expropriation is eminent domain in the United States. This is when the government takes private property for public use, such as building a highway or a school. Another example is land reform policies in South Africa, where the government took land from white farmers and redistributed it to black South Africans.
These examples show how the government can take away someone's property rights for the greater good of society. However, it is important that the government provides fair compensation to those affected by expropriation.