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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Brad Weed

Great article! I was reminded of this debacle tried nearly 100 years ago. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/aug/19/lost-cities-10-fordlandia-failure-henry-ford-amazon

History repeats...

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Thanks, Kevin, for the like and comment! "Fordlandia"! I had no idea, but plays right into the theme of this post.

All examples of a 'spatial fix', where companies and capital investors seek cheap land and labor to fix social, legal, and financial problems. (also becomes an addiction...seeking a fix) Naturally, this involves negotiations (or meddling) with local and regional politics.

Another term emerged in the 90s, 'spatial vent'. This describes the decisions local labor must make; stay in place and work for the 'invader' (which often entails losing your right to bargain for fair wages or working under conditions not protected by international labor laws) or be displaced. This typically leads to the social and political unrest emblematic of many countries, regions, and cities...especially in the global south.

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