The Public Nature of Private Property

'The Public Nature of Private Property contains a set of thought-provoking essays written by leading property law scholars, centered upon a single motif involving the nature of property. Modern property discourse usually adopts a frame portraying private property and public regulation as antagonists. From this perspective the task is to decide when private property rights must bend to protect or serve other public interests. These contributions reframe the debate by adopting a different vantage point. Public regulation can be seen as part of the definition of private property, rather than an incursion on property. The reframing has value for two reasons. First, it more accurately reflects the centuries-old history of how the Anglo-American understanding of property has evolved. Second, it enhances the discourse by putting the two strains, private and public property rights, on a level playing field.' James Charles Smith, University of Georgia, USA 'The Public Nature of Private Property is a valuable resource both for the academic property lawyer and the academic administrative lawyer.' The Cambrian Law Review