What is the power of government to take private property for public use called?

The correct answer is related to the concept of eminent domain, which is the government's power to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owner. This power is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that "private property [shall not] be taken for public use, without just compensation." The need for public use can encompass a variety of purposes, such as building roads, schools, parks, or other infrastructure that serves the greater good.

In understanding this concept, it is important to also recognize the definitions of the other terms. Taxation refers to the government’s ability to impose financial charges on individuals or properties to fund various public services but does not involve outright taking of property. Escheat involves the state claiming ownership of property when an individual dies without a will or heirs, which again differs from the context of taking property for public use. A leasehold estate pertains to the right to use and occupy a property owned by another, typically through a rental agreement, and does not involve the government’s right to take property.

Thus, eminent domain specifically encapsulates the process and authority needed for the government to appropriate private property, underlining its significance in the context of public welfare and infrastructure development.