Detroit's Rise and Fall: An In-Depth Examination with Urban Historian Josiah Rector

Picture this - Detroit, from its ascension to the status of the fourth largest city in the U.S. in the 1920s to the infamous municipal bankruptcy and near collapse of the auto industry. How did this happen? Well, that's precisely what we explore with our guest, Josiah Rector, an urban historian, assistant professor at the University of Houston, and author of Toxic Debt. Rector's expertise provides us with a rare, comprehensive analysis of Detroit's environmental, economic, and social issues, drawing parallels with other U.S. cities and global south countries that have undergone similar budget austerity.

In a system where policy, zoning, and bonds dictate a city's trajectory, we dive heads-first into how these factors have shaped Detroit's destiny. Do you ever wonder how things would be different if cities had the power to control their own policies or how the lack of this power has contributed to environmental disasters? Rector compellingly demonstrates how the decline of industrial cities, the impact of deindustrialization, and the role of unions in the auto industry have shaped Detroit's history and offers poignant lessons for other cities facing similar challenges.

Lastly, we address the elephant in the room - the future. As we grapple with the transition to electric vehicles and the increasing pressure on corporations like GM to reduce labor costs, what does this mean for union power and environmental activism? Rector brings invaluable insights from his work on the history of Detroit's environmental justice movement and the declining union membership's impact. This episode is not just a history lesson but a look into the future, offering potential strategies for unions and activists to push for real reform. Join us as we break down Detroit's complex environmental, economic, and social history with Josiah Rector. Buckle up, it's quite a ride!

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Host: C. Derick Varn
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn

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