Book Review Essay: The Unequal City. Social Sciences Book Review

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Capital City: Gentrification and the Real Estate State
Stein describes the real estate as “a political formation in which real estate capital has inordinate influence over the shape of our cities, the parameters of our politics and the lives we lead” (Stein 5). He further suggests that this concept has been around since the states and private property, which is a very long time. Landowners are the central players in this scheme as they have determined the shape of cities and centuries. This position allows them to influence the idea of housing as a commodity. When it comes to the conversation on neoliberalism, it is right to state the real estate state is in the mix. In free-market capitalism, the private sector appears to have the upper hand in economics. The sector runs more efficiently and effectively because firms understand that their actions have direct ramifications. In his book, The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith stated that it is not until individuals and firms perceived their actions of direct benefit, the economy would grow at a slower pace (Smith 11). Those in relatively privileged positions have taken advantage of this position and even at times, this has come at the compromise of other individuals. Such examples include the Trump family.
The prevalence of gentrification lies in the collaboration between planners and the state. The two parties equally participate in pacifying and policing radical politics whereby eventually, they plan the success of racial capitalism’s endurance. In the course of these procedures, the real estate state continues to prevail. The gentrification process is successful only whe...