The Risks and Opportunities of Globalization as Reflected in Homeownership

Jonathan Massey pens an essay in the journal Places, in which he probes the implications of homeownership as the vehicle by which the microeconomics of household finance and the macroeconomics of a globalized economy are mediated.

1 minute read

February 18, 2012, 11:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


In the article, Massey traces the changing history of the relationships of individuals and households to the market and to the state as reflected in homeownership.

Arriving at recent history in the slogans and stories of Occupy protestors (the 99%) decrying federal programs to deal with the affects of the housing crisis on banks and large institutions (the 1%), Massey sees a reflection of, "how homeownership and mortgage finance mediate the economic risks and opportunities of globalization."

In tying their concern specifically to the housing market, and the ideal of homeownership, Massey finds an interesting demographic thrust to the story of a decidedly middle-class "American Dream" gone sour, "The concerns of the poor and working class, like those of people of color, are less evident. So it is perhaps not surprising that so many occupiers, activists and supporters are demanding homeownership support rather than housing opportunities for all."

For which one might point out to Massey that in fact such dashed hopes may belong to a current or former middle class, as well as an aspirational lower class.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in Places

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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