“The Government’s Taking of Private Property” The Constitution of the United States is based primarily on the ideas of the 17th Century English philosopher John Locke. Locke thought that everyone had natural rights, which included life, liberty, and property. Locke stated “the great and chief end, therefore, of men’s uniting into commonwealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of property” (Locke/ McClaughry 3). He thought that if any of these rights were …showed first 75 words of 1586 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1586 total…Delayed is Justice Denied.” The Heritage Foundation. 158 (1997) : 4 pp. Online. Internet. 27 February 2000. Blackmun, Justice. “David H. Lucas, Petitioner v. South Carolina Coastal Council, Dissenting.” Legal Information Institute. 91-453 (1992) : 14 pp. Online. Internet. 15 February 2000. Butler, Henry N. “Regulatory Takings after Lucas.” CATO Regulation. 3 (1993) : 8pp. Online. Internet. 27 February 2000. McClaughry, John. “Protecting Private Property Ownership.” Independence Institute. 2 (1999) : 21 pp. Online. Internet. 25 February 2000. Young, Don. “Private Property Owners Get to Compensate Government for Taking Property!” Committee on Resources. (2000) : 2 pp. Online. Internet. 15 February 2000.