Communism 2: Electric Boogaloo

 The Right to The City by David Harvey describes the globalization of the urbanization process and its impact on global capitalism. It highlights the significant role of China in absorbing surplus capital through massive urban development projects and examines the interconnectedness of financial markets in funding urban projects worldwide. The consequences of this urbanization boom include economic shifts, such as the mortgage crisis, as well as social transformations, including gentrification and displacement of marginalized populations. The text argues for greater democratic control over urban development to address issues of inequality and dispossession, advocating for a global movement focused on the right to the city as a means of reclaiming urban spaces for the dispossessed.

A counterargument to the author's push for greater democratic control over urban development might be that such control could lead to inefficiency and bureaucratic hurdles in the planning and execution of urban projects. It could be argued that private or corporate interests are more equipped to make swift decisions and investments that spur economic growth and development. Additionally, one could argue that complete democratic control could lead to conflicting priorities and gridlock, hindering progress and stifling innovation in urban development initiatives.

As usual, a balance between two sides is generally what leads to ideal, non-one-sided outcomes. A balance of democracy and order, where voices are heard and concerns may be vocalized, while large scale progress can still be made… ideally, as the author argues, not at the expense of the little guy… greater democratic control, as long as it’s not complete control.