Main Themes In The Debate Over Property Rights

When BBC producer Jan Harding arrives at the small idyllic Suffolk village to begin production of the Palm Sunday broadcast of Songs of Praise--a television program featuring hymns sung by real congregations--she finds out that the vicar, Clive Linton, is hopelessly absent-minded and not impressed that the top BBC religious program chose to come to his church. His practical wife, Helen, however, gets on well with the television team--perhaps a little too well, where the charming, enigmatic rigger Michael is concerned. Soon the whole village gets involved. Bunty Maddocks, queen of every local committee, plots to get around the ban on church flowers during Lent; retired, lonely accountant Jack Diggens finds purpose, faith, and friendship as he plans tickets and seating; teenage soloist Anna surprises herself with her success; and obstructive Charles, chairman of the Parish Council, resents the enthusiasm of other villagers--including his wife, Betty. This delightful story, full of memorable characters and inspiring music, will make you laugh and cry and gives a fascinating insight into the making of a major television broadcast. "Very readable. . . . Warm and witty" --Woman's Weekly "A gripping story which touches some very basic emotions. . . . Captures wonderfully the two extremes of village life. . . . This is very powerful stuff." --Barbara Erskine "Very moving, very powerful intimate moments. . . . I really did enjoy it." --Lynn Parson, BBC Radio 2 "The characters and situations were so good that I got lost in the book. All I can say is, well done, Pam " --The Lincolnshire Echo

In the end, the book provides a fresh, comprehensive overview of an intriguing subject, accessible to anyone with a minimal background in economics. (An introductory chapter introduces the handful of assumptions embedded in the text's economics and law).

A survey of the evolution of property rights in the United States—from constitutional protections and due process to private property rights and government-takings doctrines. Legal opinions and public attitudes toward property rights have fluctuated over the years, from periods when almost any infringement of these rights was impermissible, to times in which the government was granted much wider latitude. This book examines the history of individual property ownership in the U.S. from the late colonial era to the present, explaining how property rights were established, defended, and sometimes later reinterpreted. Of special interest are rights that have developed over time, such as due process, just compensation for government "takings" of private property, and the rights landowners may assert against other persons. Of particular interest to today's readers are government regulation of private property for environmental purposes, challenges to zoning regulations, and intellectual property rights in cyberspace.

A multidisciplinary overview This new series gathers a broad selection of the best scholarly literature dealing with property rights in American constitutional history. The initial three volumes deal with the historical aspects of property ownership, many of which are relevant to contemporary developments. Another volume is devoted to the contract clause, which was the heart of a great deal of constitutional litigation. Two volumes deal directly and at length with current issues, such as regulatory takings. The authors come from a variety of disciplines, including history, law, and political science, bringing a multidisciplinary approach to the debate, and providing an excellent background for understanding contemporary issues. A versatile classroom and student research resource Because it gathers so many important articles from law reviews, academic journals, and books, including classic essays by prominent 19th-century authorities, this collection is a valuable resource for law schools. But its thorough exploration of a vital issue that has been the concern of legislators, courts, and citizens since the founding of the republic also makes it useful in American History classes. Professors will appreciate the collection because it gives them access to a concentration of material for classroom use and it's a user-friendly way to introduce students to a variety of opinions and, diversity of sources that can get them started on doing their own research. Students will appreciate the many articles as a veritable gold mine of information.