Social Polarisation
With reference to specific examples, critically discuss the contention that cities are becoming increasingly polarised in the contemporary world.
Polarisation is a term that usually refers to ‘extreme of two extreme situations’. In this context, social polarisation is examined in detail. Social polarisation is an expression associated with the segregation within a society that may emerge from income inequality, real-estate fluctuations, economic displacements etc. and result in such differentiation that would consist of various social groups, from high-income to low-income (Moulaert, F. et al. (2003)). This essay will outline the two contrasting opinions that Sassen and Hamnett hold of the polarization thesis in the contemporary world. In addition, it will explore a few examples that provide empirical evidence of these theories occurring today in the modernized globalized world.
The social polarisation ideology was developed by Sassen (1991) and illustrated the connection between globalisation and social and occupational structures in megacities (Norgaard, 2003; 103). Sassen argues that there has been a polarization of income distribution and occupational distribution among the population, with a higher incidence of jobs at the higher and lower paying ends of the scale, and a decline in the numbers of middle-income jobs associated with the downgrading of the manufacturing sector (Woodward, 1995; 78). Sassen’s argument is based on two global cities; Los Angeles and New York, the empirical analysis displayed that New York’s employment structure has been restructured significantly mainly due to the decline of the manufacturing industry.
Hamnett focuses his article on the claims that Sassen has made and critically examines the thesis. One of the criticisms is the point that the term ‘social polarization’ is vaguely defined and points out there is a confusion as to whether polarisation is being referred to in absolute or relative terms. An issue with an
Polarisation is a term that usually refers to ‘extreme of two extreme situations’. In this context, social polarisation is examined in detail. Social polarisation is an expression associated with the segregation within a society that may emerge from income inequality, real-estate fluctuations, economic displacements etc. and result in such differentiation that would consist of various social groups, from high-income to low-income (Moulaert, F. et al. (2003)). This essay will outline the two contrasting opinions that Sassen and Hamnett hold of the polarization thesis in the contemporary world. In addition, it will explore a few examples that provide empirical evidence of these theories occurring today in the modernized globalized world.
The social polarisation ideology was developed by Sassen (1991) and illustrated the connection between globalisation and social and occupational structures in megacities (Norgaard, 2003; 103). Sassen argues that there has been a polarization of income distribution and occupational distribution among the population, with a higher incidence of jobs at the higher and lower paying ends of the scale, and a decline in the numbers of middle-income jobs associated with the downgrading of the manufacturing sector (Woodward, 1995; 78). Sassen’s argument is based on two global cities; Los Angeles and New York, the empirical analysis displayed that New York’s employment structure has been restructured significantly mainly due to the decline of the manufacturing industry.
Hamnett focuses his article on the claims that Sassen has made and critically examines the thesis. One of the criticisms is the point that the term ‘social polarization’ is vaguely defined and points out there is a confusion as to whether polarisation is being referred to in absolute or relative terms. An issue with an
References: Baum, S. (1997) Sydney, Australia: A Global City? Testing the Social Polarisation Thesis . Urban Studies, 34 (11), p.1881-1901. BELL , D. (1973) The Coming of Post Industrial Society. New York: Basic Books. Borel-Saladin, J. and Crankshaw , O. (2009) Social Polarisation or Professionalisation? Another Look at Theory and Evidence on Deindustrialisation and the Rise of the Service Sector. Urban Studies, p.645-664. Hamnett, C. (2012) Social Polarisation in Global Cities: Theory and Evidence. Urban studies, 31 (3), p.401-424. Moulaert, F. et al. (2003) The Globalized City: Economic Restructuring and Social Polarization in European Cities. Oxford University Press. Nørgaard, H. (2003) The global city thesis – social polarization and changes in the distribution of wages. p.103-119. SASSEN, S. (1991): The Global City. New York, London, Tokyo. Princeton NJ: Princeton, University Press. WOODWARD, R. (1995): Approaches towards the study of social polarization in the UK. Progress in Human Geography, 19: 75–89.1