What does "eminent domain" allow the government to do?

Eminent domain is a legal principle that allows the government to take private property for public use, provided that the property owner receives fair compensation for the taken property. This power is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation. The compensatory aspect is vital, as it ensures that property owners are not financially burdened or unjustly deprived of their property without appropriate payment.

In the context of the options given, this clearly aligns with taking private property specifically for the benefit of the public, such as for building roads, schools, parks, or other public infrastructure projects. While the other options relate to different aspects of property law and government regulation, they do not pertain specifically to the right of eminent domain or the requirement for compensation that accompanies it.