Power and Property in an Age of Crisis: The Struggle for Shelter and Sovereignty

In an age of crisis, the relationship between power and property becomes increasingly complex and fraught. As resources become scarce and inequality grows, the struggle for shelter and sovereignty takes on new urgency.

Owning the Future: Power and Property in an Age of Crisis

by Mathew Lawrence

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1749 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	224 pages

FREE

Property is often seen as a source of power. Those who own property have a degree of control over their own lives and the lives of others. They can use their property to generate income, to build wealth, and to secure their future. Property can also be used to exclude others, to create barriers between the haves and the have-nots.

In times of crisis, the power of property becomes even more pronounced. As people lose their jobs and their homes, they become increasingly vulnerable to exploitation. They may be forced to sell their property at a loss, or to rent from landlords who charge exorbitant rates. They may be forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, or to sleep on the streets.

The struggle for shelter is a struggle for sovereignty. It is a struggle for the right to control one's own life and one's own space. It is a struggle for the right to live with dignity and respect.

In the United States, the struggle for shelter has been exacerbated by a long history of racial and economic inequality. Black and brown people have been systematically denied access to affordable housing, and they are more likely to experience homelessness than white people. The gap between the rich and the poor has also grown wider in recent years, and this has led to a sharp increase in the number of people who are struggling to afford housing.

The crisis of homelessness is a symptom of a deeper crisis in our society. It is a crisis of inequality, a crisis of poverty, and a crisis of democracy. We cannot solve the crisis of homelessness without addressing the underlying causes of inequality and poverty. We cannot solve the crisis of homelessness without building a more just and equitable society.

The struggle for shelter is a struggle for power. It is a struggle for the right to control one's own life and one's own space. It is a struggle for the right to live with dignity and respect. It is a struggle for sovereignty.

The Commodification of Housing

One of the key factors that has contributed to the crisis of homelessness is the commodification of housing. Housing has become a commodity that is bought and sold for profit, rather than a basic human need. This has led to a situation where housing is increasingly unaffordable for many people.

The commodification of housing has been driven by a number of factors, including:

• The rise of neoliberalism, which has led to a decrease in government regulation of the housing market.
• The increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals and corporations.
• The growth of the financial industry, which has led to the creation of new and complex financial instruments that have made it easier to speculate on the housing market.

The commodification of housing has had a number of negative consequences, including:

• The increase in homelessness.
• The decline in the quality of housing.
• The rise in housing costs.
• The increase in inequality.

The commodification of housing is a major obstacle to the realization of the right to adequate housing. In order to solve the crisis of homelessness, we need to de-commodify housing and make it a basic human right.

The Right to Adequate Housing

The right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right that is recognized in international law. The right to adequate housing includes the right to a secure, habitable, and affordable place to live. It also includes the right to be free from discrimination in housing.

The right to adequate housing is essential for the realization of other human rights, such as the right to health, education, and work. It is also essential for the development of healthy and stable communities.

Despite its importance, the right to adequate housing is not always respected. In many countries, people are denied access to adequate housing because of poverty, discrimination, or other factors. This is a violation of their human rights.

We need to do more to ensure that everyone has access to adequate housing. This includes:

• Investing in affordable housing.
• Enacting laws to protect tenants from eviction and discrimination.
• Providing financial assistance to people who are struggling to afford housing.
• Challenging the commodification of housing.

The struggle for shelter is a struggle for sovereignty. It is a struggle for the right to control one's own life and one's own space. It is a struggle for the right to live with dignity and respect. It is a struggle for the right to adequate housing.

In an age of crisis, the relationship between power and property becomes increasingly complex and fraught. The struggle for shelter and sovereignty takes on new urgency as resources become scarce and inequality grows. We need to challenge the commodification of housing and make the right to adequate housing a reality for all.

Owning the Future: Power and Property in an Age of Crisis

by Mathew Lawrence

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1749 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	224 pages

FREE