Bungacast /474/ Urban Power in a Planet of Slums ft. Ben Bradlow
Mar 11, 2025
Ben Bradlow, assistant professor at Princeton, dives into urban politics and inequality, drawing from his book on São Paulo and Johannesburg. He discusses the contrasting realities of slum conditions in rapidly urbanizing cities and reflects on the tension between democratic ideals and neoliberal outcomes since the 1990s. The role of social movements in shaping housing policies is explored, along with the global implications of China’s industrial influence and the rise of the radical right in both the Global North and South. A thought-provoking look at the future of urban living!
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Two Waves of Urbanization
- Cities experienced two main urbanization waves.
- The first wave, linked to the Industrial Revolution, saw slums gradually formalized, while the second wave, starting in the late 20th century, is marked by urbanization without industrialization.
Restrictions on Urban Migration
- South Africa and China's urbanization was affected by restrictions on urban migration.
- Apartheid-era pass laws in South Africa and the hukou system in China limited movement to cities.
Political Trajectories
- South Africa and Brazil share similar trajectories of authoritarian development, democratization, and neoliberal disappointment.
- The ANC in South Africa and the PT in Brazil faced challenges in maintaining political and cultural hegemony.
