Key Takeaways
1. The Right to the City: A Collective Power to Reshape Urbanization
The freedom to make and remake ourselves and our cities is, I want to argue, one of the most precious yet most neglected of our human rights.
Beyond Individual Access. The right to the city transcends mere access to urban resources; it embodies the collective power to transform and reinvent the urban landscape according to our shared desires and values. This perspective shifts the focus from individual entitlements to collective action, emphasizing the need for democratic control over urbanization processes.
Urbanization as a Class Phenomenon. Cities have historically emerged from the concentration of surplus product, making urbanization inherently a class-based process. Under capitalism, this dynamic persists, with the perpetual pursuit of surplus value driving urban development. Understanding this connection is crucial for challenging the unequal distribution of power and resources in cities.
Democratic Control Over Surplus. The core of the right to the city lies in establishing democratic control over the production and utilization of surplus generated through urbanization. This entails reforming state institutions and ensuring popular participation in decision-making processes, empowering communities to shape their urban environments and prioritize social needs over private profit.
2. Capitalist Crises: Rooted in the Urban Process
Clearly, property market booms and busts are inextricably intertwined with speculative financial flows, and these booms and busts have serious consequences for the macroeconomy in general.
Property Markets and Macroeconomic Instability. Conventional economics often overlooks the crucial role of property markets in sparking broader economic crises. However, history reveals a recurring pattern of property market booms and busts intertwined with speculative financial flows, leading to significant macroeconomic disruptions.
Examples of Property-Led Crises:
- The 1973 global property market crash
- The Japanese asset price bubble of the late 1980s
- The 2008 subprime mortgage crisis in the United States
Marxist Perspective on Urbanization. While bourgeois economics often fails to connect urban developments to macroeconomic disruptions, Marxist critics have also struggled to fully integrate urbanization into the general theory of capital accumulation. This oversight limits our understanding of how urban processes contribute to capitalist crises.
Fictitious Capital and Urbanization. The credit system, particularly mortgage-backed securities, plays a crucial role in fueling urbanization and absorbing surplus capital. However, the creation of "fictitious capital" through these financial instruments can lead to speculative bubbles and ultimately, economic crises when the underlying value of assets fails to materialize.
3. The Urban Commons: A Contested Space for Collective Life
At the heart of the practice of commoning lies the principle that the relation between the social group and that aspect of the environment being treated as a common shall be both collective and non-commodified—off-limits to the logic of market exchange and market valuations.
Beyond Private Property and State Control. The concept of the commons challenges the conventional dichotomy between private property and state control, offering an alternative framework for managing shared resources and spaces. This framework emphasizes collective action, community governance, and non-commodified values.
The Urban as a Site of Commoning. The city is a dynamic space where people from diverse backgrounds interact and create a shared, albeit contested, urban life. This shared life can be understood as an urban commons, encompassing not only physical resources but also cultural practices, knowledge, and social relationships.
The Tragedy of Enclosure. Under capitalism, the urban commons is constantly threatened by enclosure and commodification, as private interests seek to extract profit from shared resources and spaces. This process often leads to the displacement of marginalized communities and the erosion of social cohesion.
4. Monopoly Rent: Capitalizing on Uniqueness in the Urban Landscape
All rent is based on the monopoly power of private owners over certain assets.
The Power of Uniqueness. Monopoly rent arises from the exclusive control over unique and non-replicable assets, allowing owners to extract enhanced income streams. In the urban context, this can manifest in the form of prime real estate locations, cultural landmarks, or distinctive local traditions.
Culture as a Commodity. While cultural products and events possess unique qualities, they are increasingly subject to commodification and market forces. This tension creates a struggle between preserving cultural authenticity and exploiting it for economic gain.
Urban Entrepreneurialism and Monopoly Rents. Urban governance often involves attempts to capture monopoly rents by promoting local cultural developments and traditions. However, this can lead to the commodification of local identity and the displacement of marginalized communities.
5. Reclaiming the City: Anti-Capitalist Struggle in Urban Spaces
Only when politics focuses on the production and reproduction of urban life as the central labor process out of which revolutionary impulses arise will it be possible to mobilize anti-capitalist struggles capable of radically transforming daily life.
The City as a Battleground. The city is not merely a passive site for political struggles but an active arena where class conflicts are fought over the control of urban space and resources. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for developing effective anti-capitalist strategies.
Beyond the Factory Floor. Traditional Marxist perspectives often prioritize workplace struggles, neglecting the importance of urban social movements. However, the exploitation of living labor extends beyond the factory floor, encompassing predatory practices in housing, finance, and consumption.
The Right to the City as a Mobilizing Slogan. The "right to the city" can serve as a powerful rallying cry for anti-capitalist movements, uniting diverse groups around the shared goal of reclaiming democratic control over urban development and challenging the dominance of capital.
6. London 2011: A Reflection of Feral Capitalism
Thatcherism unchained the inherently feral instincts of capitalism (the “animal spirits” of the entrepreneur, apologists coyly named them), and nothing has transpired to curb them since.
Feral Capitalism Unleashed. The London riots of 2011 exposed the raw, unrestrained nature of contemporary capitalism, where predatory practices and mass dispossession have become the norm. This "feral capitalism" is characterized by a disregard for social consequences and a relentless pursuit of profit.
Mimicking Corporate Behavior. The rioters, in their own way, mirrored the behavior of corporate capital, engaging in acts of looting and destruction that reflected the systemic exploitation and inequality prevalent in society. This highlights the need to address the root causes of social unrest and challenge the underlying logic of capitalism.
A Call for Accountability. The London riots should serve as a wake-up call, prompting a broader examination of the ethical and moral implications of contemporary capitalism. It is time to hold not only the rioters but also the architects of "feral capitalism" accountable for their actions.
7. #OWS: Challenging the Party of Wall Street
We are the 99 percent.
Confronting Money Power. The Occupy Wall Street movement represents a direct challenge to the dominance of money power in American politics. By occupying public spaces and raising awareness about economic inequality, the movement seeks to reclaim democracy from the grip of the financial elite.
Building a Broad Coalition. To succeed, the Occupy movement must reach out to diverse groups, including students, immigrants, the unemployed, and all those affected by the policies of the Party of Wall Street. This requires building a broad coalition based on shared values of social justice, equality, and environmental sustainability.
Reconstructing the System. The ultimate goal of the Occupy movement is to create a more just and equitable society by challenging the capitalist laws of value and promoting alternative forms of economic organization. This entails democratizing control over production, distribution, and consumption, and prioritizing human needs over private profit.
Last updated:
FAQ
What's Rebel Cities about?
- Urban Rights Exploration: Rebel Cities by David Harvey examines the "right to the city," advocating for urban spaces to be shaped by the collective desires of their inhabitants rather than capitalist interests.
- Capitalism Critique: The book critiques capitalism's influence on urban development, highlighting how it leads to crises and inequalities, and calls for a radical rethinking of urban life and governance.
- Social Movements Focus: Harvey emphasizes the role of social movements in advocating for urban rights, illustrating how these movements can reclaim cities from capitalist exploitation.
Why should I read Rebel Cities?
- Urban Dynamics Insight: The book offers critical insights into the relationship between urbanization and capitalism, essential for those interested in social justice, urban studies, or political economy.
- Activism Inspiration: Harvey’s work serves as a call to action, encouraging readers to engage in the struggle for urban rights and collective action against neoliberal policies.
- Historical Context: It situates contemporary urban issues within a historical framework, helping readers understand the roots of current urban crises and the potential for revolutionary change.
What are the key takeaways of Rebel Cities?
- Right to the City: The central thesis is that the right to the city is a collective right, allowing communities to shape their urban environments according to their needs and desires.
- Urban Commons: Harvey discusses the importance of shared resources and spaces that belong to the community rather than private interests.
- Capitalism's Urban Impact: The book illustrates how capitalist development leads to urban crises, including displacement and inequality, advocating for an anti-capitalist approach to urban governance.
What are the best quotes from Rebel Cities and what do they mean?
- "The right to the city is a cry and a demand.": This quote highlights that urban rights are rooted in the lived experiences and struggles of city dwellers.
- "The city may be dead, but long live the city!": It reflects the paradox of urban life under capitalism, suggesting potential for new urban spaces through collective action.
- "Claiming the right to the city is a way-station on the road to that goal.": This emphasizes that the right to the city is part of a larger struggle for systemic change against capitalist exploitation.
What is the "right to the city" as defined in Rebel Cities?
- Collective Power: The right to the city is a collective right empowering communities to shape their urban environments, rather than being subjected to market forces.
- Reinventing Urban Life: It involves the freedom to make and remake urban spaces in ways that reflect community desires and needs, promoting a meaningful urban existence.
- Political Demand: Harvey argues that this right is a demand for justice and a political struggle against the commodification of urban life, advocating for equitable distribution of resources.
How does Rebel Cities address capitalism's impact on urban life?
- Urban Crises: Harvey discusses how capitalism leads to urban crises, such as housing shortages and social inequality, illustrating the detrimental effects of profit-driven development.
- Displacement and Alienation: The book highlights the displacement of marginalized communities as a direct consequence of capitalist urbanization.
- Need for Anti-Capitalist Movements: Harvey calls for anti-capitalist movements focused on transforming urban life and reclaiming the city for its inhabitants.
What role do social movements play in Rebel Cities?
- Catalysts for Change: Social movements are portrayed as essential catalysts for change, advocating for the right to the city and challenging capitalist urban development.
- Collective Action: Harvey emphasizes the importance of collective action in reclaiming urban spaces, arguing that grassroots movements can resist neoliberal policies.
- Global Context: The book situates these movements within a global context, showing how urban struggles in different cities can inspire one another.
What is the significance of the urban commons in Rebel Cities?
- Shared Resources: The urban commons refers to shared resources and spaces that belong to the community, essential for fostering social relations and identity.
- Resistance to Commodification: Harvey argues that protecting the urban commons is crucial in resisting the commodification of urban life.
- Potential for New Urban Futures: The concept opens possibilities for reimagining urban life, allowing communities to create inclusive environments.
How does Harvey connect urbanization to capitalist crises in Rebel Cities?
- Surplus Absorption: Urbanization has historically been a means for absorbing surplus capital and labor, often leading to crises when overaccumulation occurs.
- Cyclical Nature: The book discusses the cyclical nature of capitalist crises, illustrating how rapid urban development can lead to downturns and unrest.
- Need for Structural Change: Understanding this connection is vital for developing strategies to address urban crises and advocate for systemic change.
What solutions does Rebel Cities propose for urban issues?
- Collective Governance: Harvey advocates for governance models that prioritize community needs over profit-driven interests, emphasizing participatory decision-making.
- Reclaiming Urban Spaces: The book encourages communities to reclaim urban spaces and resources, fostering ownership and responsibility among residents.
- Anti-Capitalist Movements: Harvey calls for movements focused on transforming urban life, advocating for policies that promote social justice and equity.
What is "monopoly rent" and why is it significant in Rebel Cities?
- Definition of Monopoly Rent: Monopoly rent refers to the economic advantage gained by controlling unique resources or locations, allowing higher prices.
- Impact on Urban Development: It shapes urban development, leading to gentrification and displacement as property values rise.
- Critique of Capitalism: The concept critiques capitalist practices that prioritize profit over community needs, highlighting the need for equitable policies.
How does Rebel Cities critique neoliberal urban policies?
- Neoliberalism's Impact: Harvey critiques neoliberal policies for exacerbating inequality and prioritizing market-driven approaches to urban development.
- Call for Alternatives: The book advocates for alternative policies that prioritize public goods and community needs, challenging profit-driven motives.
- Historical Context: By situating these critiques within a historical framework, Harvey illustrates neoliberalism's transformation of urban spaces and lives.
Review Summary
Rebel Cities by David Harvey explores how cities have become central to capital accumulation and class struggle. Harvey argues for reconsidering urban spaces as sites of revolutionary potential, examining topics like the right to the city, urban commons, and rent. The book combines Marxist economic analysis with geographical insights, discussing historical examples and contemporary movements. While some readers found parts challenging or dated, many praised Harvey's rigorous approach and thought-provoking ideas about urbanization, capitalism, and social change.
Similar Books
Download PDF
Download EPUB
.epub
digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.