World City Formation and Social Polarization

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the formation of world cities, social polarization, and economic disparities as discussed in the lecture.

What is spatial polarization in world cities?

Spatial polarization refers to the widening gap in wealth, income, and power between different regions, particularly evident between core countries and peripheral economies.

What are the three scales of spatial polarization?

The three scales are global, regional, and metropolitan.

What typically characterizes regional income gradients in core countries?

In core countries, regional income gradients are relatively smooth, with differences between high and low income regions rarely exceeding 1:3.

How does spatial polarization manifest in metropolitan areas?

It appears as spatial segregation, such as poor inner-city ghettos, suburban squatter housing, and ethnic working-class enclaves.

What are the three principal facets of class polarization in world cities?

Huge income gaps between transnational elites and low-skilled workers, large-scale immigration, and structural job evolution trends.

What sectors do low-wage occupations predominantly fall into in world cities?

Low-wage occupations are mainly in low-skilled jobs, personal and consumer services, and low-wage manufacturing.

How does the influx of foreign workers affect job markets in world cities?

It creates a rise in low-paid, predominantly non-unionized jobs across various sectors due to downward wage pressure.

What fiscal challenges do world cities face due to rapid growth?

They experience massive needs for housing, education, health, and welfare that exceed the state's fiscal capacity.

Why do poorer populations tend to lose out in competitive struggles for resources in world cities?

Because the political power dynamics favor transnational capital and dominant social elites who prioritize their own claims for urban amenities.

What systemic issue arises from capitalist accumulation in relation to vulnerable populations?

The burdens of capitalist accumulation are shifted onto the politically weakest sectors of the population.