Protestant Work Ethic Analysis

Amongst topics of conversation regarding eminent domain, one will find regulatory usage of land, seizing of land for public use, and the most controversial of late, the seizing of land from a private owner and giving it to a more economically beneficial, often politically connected private owner. Kelo v New London (US 2005), has prompted dozens of proposals to reform eminent domain practices legislatively. Most of these proposals would restrict the use of eminent domain to transfer property from one private individual to another. It is one thing to have a city claim property to further the development of the city by building roads, schools, etc. It is another thing altogether for the government to seize a property so as to gain money from higher taxation. For many years, however, courts have read the public-use restraint broadly, enabling governments to take property from one owner, often small and powerless, and transfer it to another, often large and politically connected, all in the name of economic development, urban renewal, or job creation.

Jonathan Klemens 's in his essay “The Protestant Work Ethic: Just Another 'Urban Legend?” claims that the American work ethic, despite many saying otherwise, is still deeply rooted in American society. He states that this work ethic is personified in the persons who find their work both personally enjoying and a service to society. In other words, people who have found their passion. He goes on to explain that this dedication to hard work is exemplified by the existence of societies such as the Amish, Shakers, Mennonites, and the Hutterites.

One of the primary instances, and landmark cases, that spurred more debates on imminent domain is the Kelo vs City of New London case. “In Kelo v. City of New London, the Supreme Court held that “economic development” constituted a “public use” that justified the taking of private property through eminent domain.” (R—N.Y, 2016). Property rights have always been a challenge in every civilization. This case garnered a lot of interest from the media and in turn that of the rest of U.S residents as it shocked the nation. The case is related to a development project that the city wanted to undertake to make the best use of the land in the area. The town of New London, a small city within Connecticut, experienced downward spiraling economy when

Because the original contract was joint tenancy with right of survivorship, Peter did not legally have the ability to leave his property to his son

The country not only seizes private property for the land, but also for water. In the city of Laurinburg, North Carolina, the city wants to use eminent domain to take a farmer’s water supply and give it to a clutch factory. The city wants to pay the farmer $12,000 for three parcels of land. According to the farmer, the land could produce crops worth $200,000 a year. The county then wants to construct wells to support the FCC America LLA, suck out all of the water, but only pay for three small well sites. This is a classic case of the United States government using eminent domain, to benefit private industries (Jennings). Some states are implementing laws to help protect land owners from eminent domain.

Let us not forget, though, that the pace was not constant due to seasonal agricultural work, changing cyclical demand of goods, and unreliable transportation, communication, and supply of materials. Household clocks were not common until the 1940s. Dedication to one’s task was strong, but the work ethic of the times did not demand the “ceaseless regularity which came with the age of machines.” The work ethic of pre-industrial America was therefore more of an ethos than a specific measure of productivity.

In addition, societal welfare can at times be undervalued in a case such as this where lives are so easily seen as commodities and this is the best time to address it. This idea is supported by the Framer’s who recognized the governments have this duty to correct for inequalities that occur naturally and in the market. In fact, this is just one of the facts explored by Elizabeth F. Gallagher of the Fordham Law Review in her publication titled Breaking New Ground: Using Eminent Domain for Economic Development.

I realize that there have been a lot of changes in Wilmington, NC, due to the student body at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington growing. There have been several city council meetings to discuss how the city of Wilmington can use this growth to the city’s advantage. There has been discussion that the city of Wilmington is building the “Tar Heel Family Resort” to increase tourism and bringing new business to the community. Unfortunately in this case the government has the right to eminent domain, which is the constitutional right of the government to take privately owned real property for a public purpose in exchange for just compensation to the owner (Kubasek, Brennan, & Browne, 2009).

Although eminent domain is sometimes necessary, there should be limits placed on it to ensure that individual property rights are never trampled on. This essay will explain at what times government officials should have the right to exercise eminent domain, the extent of which the current occupant should be satisfactorily compensated, and an engineer’s duty to the public to only accept projects where the previous property owners are content in the arrangements of their dismissal.

Next Justice Stevens references to the case Hawaii Housing Authority v. Midkiff, where Constitution was violated when city took one`s property to public use but actually placed it in private hands after taking. It is argued that this taking was conducted under “carefully considered development plan,” thus having a legitimate reason of taking the land and no private party would benefit from this taking (O`Brien, 319).

In The Protestant Work Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism , Max Weber writes on the principles of modern day capitalism and what he thinks is the source of those principles. Weber published this work in  1905, however, the ideas in  this work still applies to today`s society in many ways. Weber writes that the protestant religion pushes people to look for signs that they have been saved. These signs include wealth on earth. This pushes people to work hard and accumulate wealth. Weber describes wealthy people as people who ascetically saved money and worked. If weber states that people who are saved are wealthy, then poor people were probably seen as sinners or bad people because they did not hold the same ascetic ways of life as the wealthier

One of the crucial assumptions underlying the paper’s analysis is that a redevelopment effort will necessarily create positive economic value. But what if it does not? Kelo serves as a perfect example. What was supposed to be a profitable facility is currently an empty lot collecting storm debris. At least with eminent domain, voters have some form of cathartic recourse. They can vote out the individuals who made the decision to condemn their homes for an ultimately disastrous product. In a callable fee or floating fee situation, voters have little ability to seek redress, instead nurturing feelings of political disenfranchisement and anti-establishment resentment. Further, the threat of losing their seats incentivizes politicians to carefully examine any proposed development and only exercise their power when reasonably sure of its success, minimizing potential mishaps. Thus, voters are both empowered and incentives are put in place to encourage careful decision-making concerning development

Weber was trying to articulate the relationship between asceticism, the severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, and the spirit of capitalism. He saw Calvinism and the Protestant Work ethic as the foundation of our modern economy and capitalism.

The most significant idea I have encountered this year is that in order to become successful, we need to maintain a strong work ethic. I developed this idea from a combination of leadership skills that I have gained and applied in different environments, and participation in various activities this past year. Work ethic is comprised of maintaining a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork, discipline, and integrity. As a student and worker, I have learned that I need to possess responsibility for my actions and duties, collaborate with classmates and colleagues in order to achieve our overarching goals and missions, and remain focused and determined in achieving our short term and long term goals. We need to maintain a high level of dedication towards our visions. Additionally, as leaders within our educational institutions and the workforce,

Economic traditionalism is essentially the antithesis of modern capitalism. Within this framework, work was viewed as a “necessary evil” (Kalberg 2011a: p. 418). It was simply the means through which people acquire the economic needs necessary for survival. Therefore, work and money did not take precedence over one’s family, community, and leisure. The tasks themselves were based on custom and tradition, and were independent of the individual himself. That is, work did not constitute one’s self-identity. Luther was an extreme proponent of this ideology. He was suspicious of wealth and asserted that money should only be enough to live a life of integrity. Weber ([1905] 2011) describes Luther’s reservation: