Professor James Riddell started with the traditional concept of property rights, introduced the conception of property rights and property law system and their evolution in the Western history, especially in the European history. He emphasized the importance of property rights as a symbol of complete citizenship when the European immigrants came to North America. In the meanwhile, Professor Riddell illustrated the definition of property rights, its externalities on the social development, and the impact of government intervention and market choice on dealing with externalities of property rights based on his personal experience at the UN FAO. Professor Riddell also introduced American practices in property rights, such as zoning and master plan communities to further explain the evolution of property rights in the US. He stated that private property rights were being intervened more and more as they became integrated with other people’s property rights. He said, “one fact we have to accept is that my house is no longer my castle. And I only have part of a series of rights to my house.”

 

 

 Later, Professor Riddell explained the American practices of eminent domain, pointing out that the government could only carry out eminent domain under the preconditions of “public use, with just compensation, and fulfill the recognized function/power/role of Government.” He referred to the Kelo case in 2005 and compared that case with Chinese cases.

 

 At last, Professor Riddell introduced the property tax in the US, pointing out its method of collection, institutes, principles, and flaws. He finished his talk by introducing property rights in regard to the American Indians, claiming that we should learn from the understanding of property rights from the American Indians and further improve the property rights system. He thought we should expand the concept of property rights, and establish condominium property rights in order to avoid harm to others when we carry out our own property rights.

 

In the discussion after the speech, the commentators thanked Professor Riddell for his informative speech on the evolution and practices of the American property rights system. They acknowledged China and the US are in different stages of development since the property rights system in the US is well established, therefore, more efforts and attention should be paid to the protection of property rights in China. Heated debate was also witnessed in regard to Kelo Case and American property tax issues.