Detroit Flashcards
What is white flight
White flight is a phenomenon in which white people, especially middle-class families, move out of urban areas and into suburban areas, typically resulting in a decrease in the economic and social conditions of the city they leave behind. This trend occurred in many American cities in the post-World War II period, leading to increased racial segregation and inequality.
Fordism
Fordism refers to the system of mass production and consumption that was pioneered by the Ford Motor Company in the early 20th century. This system was based on assembly-line production, standardization, and the use of interchangeable parts to create large numbers of identical products quickly and efficiently. Fordism led to a significant increase in productivity and a dramatic reduction in the cost of manufactured goods, making them more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers. It also had a profound impact on the organization of work, the structure of the economy, and the nature of consumer culture.
Effects of fordism on workers
Fordism had a significant impact on the lives of the working class. The mass production techniques used in the auto industry created many new jobs, but they were highly repetitive and monotonous. The work was also physically demanding and dangerous.
Despite these conditions, the jobs paid well and provided a decent standard of living for many workers. However, as the industry became more automated and the labor force became more highly educated, the need for low-skilled workers declined, leading to a decline in wages and a reduction in job security for many workers. This, along with other economic factors, contributed to the urban crisis in Detroit and other industrial cities in the postwar period.
What were the Great Migrations?
Back of card: Black Americans migrated from the South to the North in the early 20th century to take on job opportunities that were left open when white men were sent to fight in World War I.
What is the “whitening” and “racial democracy” in Brazil?
Back of card: The “whitening” in Brazil was the importing of European workers to “dilute” the blackness in the population. Racial democracy is the idea that income and life quality was often based on how light/dark a person’s skin was.
What is path-dependency?
Back of card: Path-dependency is the idea that structures that are in place in an industry can be difficult to change or deviate from, and that restructuring is necessary to move forward.
What is horizontal agglomeration to Fordist vertical integration
Horizontal agglomeration refers to the clustering of similar or related firms in one area. This was common in early industrialization, where companies would locate near their suppliers and customers to reduce transportation costs.
In contrast, Fordist vertical integration refers to a system where a single company controls all aspects of production, from raw materials to finished goods. This system was adopted by the automobile industry, including Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company, which owned mines, rubber plantations, and even a sawmill to produce the materials for its cars.
What is the fiscal squeeze?
Back of card: The fiscal squeeze is the tendency for companies to move to locations where taxes are lower, leading to economic decline in certain regions.
What is the significance of automation in Detroit’s decline?
Back of card: Automation in Detroit led to the decline of manufacturing jobs, leading to economic instability and job loss.
Ford Model T: The Ford Model T
Ford Model T: The Ford Model T, introduced in 1908 and produced until 1928, was the first automobile produced using assembly-line techniques, which greatly reduced the cost of production.
Cars, highways, suburbanization
Cars, highways, suburbanization: The growth of the automobile industry in the early 20th century led to the construction of highways and the development of suburbs, as people were able to commute longer distances to work.
Post-fordism
Post-Fordism is an economic system that emerged in the late 20th century, marked by a shift away from mass production and standardization towards more flexible production processes, customizability, and a focus on service and knowledge-based work. It is characterized by the rise of new technologies, globalization, and increased competition, which have led to greater uncertainty in the labor market and a greater emphasis on innovation and creativity. Post-Fordism is often contrasted with the Fordist regime of accumulation that dominated industrial production in the mid-20th century.
Collective bargening
Collective bargaining refers to the process of negotiation between employers and employees, often facilitated by labor unions, to determine the terms and conditions of employment, such as wages, working hours, and benefits. In the context of Fordism, collective bargaining was often used to negotiate wages and benefits for unionized workers in mass production industries.
However, with the shift towards post-Fordism, the role of collective bargaining has changed. Post-Fordist work is often more flexible, with less reliance on standardized mass production, and less unionization. This has led to a decline in the power of unions and collective bargaining, as employers have more bargaining power in the context of a less stable labor market. Additionally, post-Fordist work often involves non-standard forms of employment such as part-time or contract work, which may make collective bargaining more difficult.
Welfare state (social reproduction)
In the context of Fordism and Post-Fordism, the welfare state refers to the system of social protection and support provided by the government to its citizens, including healthcare, education, and public housing. In the Fordist regime of accumulation, the welfare state was a key feature, as governments provided social services and protections to the working class in order to promote social stability and ensure a healthy and productive workforce.
However, with the transition to Post-Fordism, the welfare state has come under attack from neoliberal forces, who seek to roll back government social programs and promote free-market solutions to social problems. This has led to growing inequality and social instability, as working-class people are left to fend for themselves in an increasingly precarious and insecure economic landscape.
Post-fordism
Post-Fordism refers to a new economic system that emerged in the late 20th century, after the decline of the mass production and Fordist model of production. It is characterized by more flexible and decentralized forms of production, a greater reliance on information technology, and a shift towards service-oriented and knowledge-based industries.
