Urban Study Discussion
Introduction
The urban study is a vital field of study that helps in knowing and analyzing urban developments and its relation to other phenomena. It is important to look at all fields that have an impact on city development by keenly scrutinizing areas such as economy, social, political, and cultural. Notably, urban city development involves historical and architectural changes that have been taking place since the past years. Life dynamicity has consequently resulted in several changes in the structures of each phenomenon. In America, such impact has been experienced as both gradual and fast changes are being witnessed in the economic sector. Nonetheless, this paper will discuss three types of workers in America, Harvey’s idea of capitalism’s crisis, and alternatives in the hardships experienced by the middle class.
Types of Workers
Workers are people who put some effort into contributing to the growth of the economy. In America, workers are grouped into three main categories. This grouping is based on the social statuses that put people into social class systems. They are: – rich, middle class, and poor. The rich are the Americans who have the highest rank and influence in social, political, and economic systems. They are sophisticated in that they can group themselves into several other levels, such as high, medium, and low, rich groups. They own white color jobs. It is a category which is comprised of professionals and chief administrators in the different fields. The middle class is comprised of the semi-professionals who are employed in the blue and white color industries. They have education and skills ranging between college and some casual workforce. Notably, most Americans fall into this class as they are the vibrant group of workers working in the few rich companies. They offer both skilled and non-skilled services. Most of them are either under permanent employment or contract bases. The poor working class is comprised of the rest people who cannot afford to offer skilled labor. Most of them remain economically challenged, for they lead a hand-to-mouth life.
Capitalism’s Crisis by Harvey
Harvey studied the notion of capitalism and how it has negatively affected the social structures in the quest of developing economic sector. According to Harvey, capitalists, who are the American rich, have taken advantage of the majority middle-class group. Capitalism borrows Marxism ideology on the economy drive by letting few people control it. In the event of gaining economic strives, capitalists will use their influence and powers to control the American economy the way they want without considering the consequent endangers to the middle class and poor. Capitalism is at the crisis of negatively affecting the other sectors, such as social and political. Harvey terms capitalism as “lifeblood that flows through the body politic” (Harvey, vi). Additionally, capitalism does not attend to the problems it causes in other sectors. Harvey argues that capitalists will just try to evade the issue by revolving at it without any meaning solution.
The aftermath of the Middle Class
The middle class always find themselves in a painful corner when their bills outdo their income. Businesses may close, hence leading to loss of employment to the majority of workers. Economy crumbles are not rare occasions not only in the United States but all globally. The 2008 economic fall was the recent economic disturbance that saw several closures of businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely hit the economic structures in the world, including the USA. When such conditions occur, some middle-class members decide to take loans from personal money lenders, especially the rich. The loans are feared to be of high-interest rates. Some middle class may opt to indulge in criminal activities so that they can pay the overwhelming burden. Unfortunately, some may opt for suicide when depression bursts its walls.
Conclusion
The development of cities has far impacts on the lives of Americans. Capitalism is a notion that has destroyed other sectors, such as the political and social arena, in the name of building castles on the feeble backbones of the middle class. The poor are more affected while the middle-class risk is joining them after economic disasters. Crime, depression, and death are some of the resultant effects of economic hardships. Nonetheless, America should think of solving economic inequality if it wants it at a peak.