Is DETROIT signalling the 'FAILURE' of the American DREAM? - VisualPolitik EN

You've probably seen all those incredible images of Detroit filled with abandoned factories, desolate streets, and neighborhoods with lots of houses boarded up, abandoned, or directly demolished. Detroit's history has been that of a real economic and social apocalypse.

The most populous city in the state of Michigan became a vital player in the American capital of the automotive sector, and therefore, also as the car capital of the world. Such important companies as Ford or General Motors had their production centers there.

In 1950, this city had almost two million inhabitants making it the fourth largest city in the United States, behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

However, something happened, and from that moment, everything began to fall apart. Many companies started to close, there were cuts in production chains and many automotive factories pulled down their shutters for good. All this while the city began to record a real exodus of population and a huge wave of violence.

This cataclysm lasted more than 50 years, until finally in 2013 the city announced its bankruptcy. The City Hall had to implement heavy cuts and the federal government intervened in the city’s accounts. However, against all odds, this marked the beginning of a rebirth in the city.

So, what caused Detroit to sink as one of the world's industrial capitals? How has this crisis lasted so many years? What future awaits the most populous city in the state of Michigan? In this video, we'll give you all the details.

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[trollpolice]

Before cars were made in Michigan and you couldn't drink the water in Mexico, now cars are made in Mexico and you can't drink the water in Flint, Michigan.

[harshhgupta]

VisualPolitik: Detroit declined due to lack of affordable housing and racial tensions
Los Angeles:Ohh Nooo

[jackpatteeuw]

Detroit's rapid growth was spurred by WWII. The "Arsemal of Democracy" was centered in Detroit and nearby suburbs. When the war end, there was a huge demand for cars because none had been built for the previous 5 years. By 1960, that "pent up demand" had been satisfied and the growth rate slowed down.

Detroit will not likely increase its population over the next 25 years, because there are no unskilled jobs available. Detroit's City Council is missing the opportunity it has by not turning large tracts of land that it owns (old school, etc) into urban farms. The one commercial venture, Hantz Farms, which is a tree nursery, has had to fight to PURCHASE abandoned residential lots. They should have been leased at $1/year under the proviso that they be cleaned, planted and maintained.

If you want to talk population collapse, look at Flint, MI. It was about 200, 000 in 1960. When the 2020 census is counted, I am sure it will be well under 100, 000.

[dandonofrio]

One word: Suburbs

Most of the automotive jobs didn't leave the state entirely. They just moved up the street, outside of Detroit's tax reach

[shaamirhaneef]

This is goddamn amazing. The importance of business investment in a community or city is the most important topic that no one talks about. The ability to find employment is absolutely paramount to any successful society. Hopefully Detroit can continue on thsi path.

[chris_]

"A person should not be judge based.on the crimes in his records."
- Detroit

[kommando]

I normally like the breakdowns that you guys do but this is awful. I'm from Detroit and my entire family was involved with the auto industry at one point and Detroit did not decline because of racial tension and social programs.

Detroit was as some other comments have stated a monotown. When the car companies crashed the city crashed. Really what you should be discussing is why the american auto companies crashed.There are two main reasons.

Globalization of the auto industry - The US auto companies essentially operated uncontested for decades until the rest of the world recovered from ww2. During this time they became complacent and inefficient and the bubble burst during the bailouts of 2009 and it was obvious if you look at sales figures that they were being out innovated and left in the dust.

Unions - The UAW is still the fifth largest union in the US and had an enormous amount of power. Union factory workers would make upwards of 6 figures with only a highschool education. This didnt bother GM and Ford that much at first because they could afford it. They had no competition and were making incredible amounts of money. Then this ties in with the globalization of the economy. Once US factories started being outsourced they realized they could pay a mexican $1.90 instead of an american $50 an hour. Despite this the UAW continued to be obstinate.

Its really ridiculous to say that this is somehow a failure of the american dream. Cities have bad management. Companies have bad management and they fail. Its happened dozens of times in us history and people barely mention those places because they were not the monolith that was Detroit. Dont have such a click baity title.

[.BANDIT]

Detroit did it to themselves. 70 + years of DEMOCRAT CONTROL. And High taxes and UNIONS made DETROIT what it is today.

[callmedave]

Detroit didn't decline because capitalism failed. Detroit declined because capitalism worked.

[eyyy]

An eviction crisis is looming here. God help us.

[elhaddad]

Three words: CRIME, OVER TAXATION, DEMOCRATS

[kronosken]

As someone who lives in Detroit, its really not that bad. Not nearly as bad on crime as NYC.

[mn_rifleman]

My wife is from Detroit. As she will tell you, Detroit is plagued by a variety of problems that do somewhat to little with the economy. My father in law is contracted by the big three to program welding robots. He barely graduated high school and now makes $140, 000+ a year. Political and financial corruption are rampant. Crime is rampant, but the factories are still there, they’ve just shrunk drastically. Now the suburbs are sprawling, growing and for the most part somewhat peaceful. Things are far better than most believe, but there’s still many roadblocks ahead. I’ll be happy to give updates when I visit my in laws this fall

[thanosandnobill]

Article from 2050: What can we learn from largest slum in the world known as San Francisco?

[mcelroychandler]

I toured Detroit about 10 years ago, coming from rural Az, I was amazed at what Detroit had to offer architecturally and the downtown was awesome. I hope the city is able to rebound and save its magnificent buildings.

[리주민]

Black flight to Northern cities for work, white flight out of the cities into suburbs, and social housing to keep the "peasants from revolting."

[cartellredd]

As a native Detroiter I must say you guys are spot on with the critiques and info you provided in the video most people who live outside of Detroit just assume we were like this because of crime and don’t look at the racial and social inequalities that took apart of the city. This is why you guys are my favorite channel!!! Can’t believe U.K. can get our situation more right than the American media

[meredithpoor]

Detroit is not going to rebuild the car industry - this is too dispersed throughout the world. Some of Detroit's problems are that it's too far north - cold and snowy. Detroit might remain an industrial design center, whether for cars or other products, but they will be made in factories scattered 'everywhere'.

The 'Rust Belt' in general and Detroit in particular will have to live with smaller cities for the foreseeable future. Urban recovery begins with funky arts scenes. The things that will make Detroit (and other decaying areas) interesting is novel food, music, 'party atmosphere', and stunning art (which may also include architecture). Struggling artists love cheap digs. Old industrial lofts are very attractive for this kind of thing.

Cities with lots of old rail lines can convert them to bike paths and trolley lines. Millennials don't like cars. A functioning and convenient mass transit system will help a lot.

The US birthrate has been shrinking and as of 2019 was 1.7 children per woman. COVID-19 suggests this will shrink by 30%, or in the case of the US to 1.2 children per woman, at least for 2020. This produces a fundamental shrinkage in demand for housing, schools, family entertainment, etc. Every city in the world will have to face this reality.

Detroit's 'former glory' is over. However, it could settle down to be a nice place to live, if everyone can figure out how to make it work.

[moherbert]

Scottish Simon kinda grows on you. Soon he will be our new overlord.

[mrmoneyhacks]

Unions: "We won the best wages, benefits and red tape in the country!"
Companies: