Constitutional Protection of Property and Economic Rights

This paper is an edited version of an address delivered by the author on December 14, 1991 at a conference on "Prosperity and the Rule of Law" in the Washington, D.C. area. Professor Siegan advocates that the new constitutions of the former communist nations and republics should establish political systems consistent with the general objective of their revolutions: to minimize the rule of the state and maximize the liberty of the people. He argues that these constitutions can best provide for freedom and abundance by substantially limiting the power of government.