Administrative Discretion in Action (eBook)

Given that this book is written for scholars, practitioners, students, and community members, it emphasizes praxis, the critical interface between public administration theory and the practice of eminent domain. This book is the most comprehensive analysis on eminent domain in the field of public administration and offers unprecedented access and candor among public officials in the birthplace of Kelo and community members directly involved with the Kelo case, including Susette Kelo herself.

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This book is about changing the way we do public administration. It is about the wielding of administrative discretion in the implementation of a constitutional power: eminent domain, taking private property for public use. Administrative Discretion in Action: A Narrative of Eminent Domain, emphasizes the normative, constitutional perspective of public administration to study administrators' decision-making process that balances economic, political, and community interestsoften in that order. It is about facilitating dialogue between public officials and the public. This book is a tool for interested scholars, practitioners, students, and community members about the dynamic of administration of public affairs in a political context. Grounded in public administration theory, this book utilizes an in-depth, comprehensive analysis of the US Supreme Court's landmark 2005 decision in Kelo v. New Londonfrom the perspective of public officials and community members in the state of Connecticut (home of Kelo case)to share a balanced narrative.