What does eminent domain primarily address?

Eminent domain primarily addresses the government's authority to acquire private property for public use, providing a legal framework that allows this process to occur. Under eminent domain, the government can take ownership of private property as long as it serves a public purpose, such as the construction of roads, schools, parks, or other infrastructure.

This principle is grounded in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation. This ensures that property owners are fairly compensated for their loss, making the practice a necessary aspect of governmental operations when public development is required.

In contrast, voluntary property sales involve transactions where the owner willingly sells their property to a buyer, which does not relate to the government's exercise of eminent domain. Public access to private properties might refer to usage rights or easements but does not equate to the acquisition of property. Similarly, taxation of property owners concerns the financial obligations individuals have to the government and is separate from the concept of the government’s power to take private property.