Why You Can't Actually Own Land In America

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Allodial title refers to the concept of owning property outright, free from obligations like taxes or external claims. In the U.S., while property owners hold a deed and may feel like they truly own their land, the reality is more complex due to eminent domain. Under eminent domain, the government retains the right to take private property for public use, as long as they provide fair compensation. This power highlights that property ownership in the U.S. isn’t absolute.

Eminent domain is a key distinction between modern property ownership and allodial title. In an allodial system, ownership is unconditional—there are no taxes, duties, or threats of seizure, even by the government. Allodial title has existed during a few periods of history, such as after the French Revolution, when allodial title emerged as a rejection of the old feudal system, granting people complete control over their land. Although France no longer operates under this system, some Viking-influenced regions like Orkney, Shetland, and the Isle of Man may still have remnants of allodial title today.