We live under capitalism. That means, explicitly, that capital has all the power. To the extent nimbyism is a real problem that’s because it’s been stoked by capitalist propaganda and fueled by the artificial fear that their property prices will go down. Homeowners have been taught to think in those terms rather than about what will actually affect their quality of life because the nuance-flattening logic of the market permeates our thinking.
You show me a single home owner who’s enthusiastic about having a large multi-unit built next door … I wouldn’t be happy personally.
If you think capital has all the power look at TC energy’s keystone pipeline. Look at LNG facility approval in Canada. No shortage of capital there but those projects are dead.
If there’s demand for something (housing) markets will solve that problem you just get out of the way and let them. Capitalists would love to sell the same acre of developed realeatate to more than one person. Remember - they’re greedy.
What an absolutely wild example to cite for your argument. The Keystone pipeline is a perfect example of how capital and the state have all of the institutional power. Protestors have lived on site for years, being brutalised by thugs working for the state on behalf of capital. They have given up enormous chunks of their lives, meanwhile the execs and politicians organising their brutalisation do it with meetings and emails. Only after years of disruptive action will the state finally step in to change something, and even then the story isn’t over.
It is an awful project that illegally siezed land and is devastating to the environment both locally and globally, but fossil fuel companies want to make money so the state will defend their bullshit until it becomes obvious that it’s a complete wash.
People power works, but it is an uphill fight against entrenched power structures.
If there’s demand for something (housing) markets will solve that problem you just get out of the way and let them.
This is just an article of faith. The invisible hand of the market is the capitalist replacement for the divine right of kings and I am yet to see any examples of it really working. I’ve explained how it’s not the case but you don’t seem to feel any need to rebut anything I’ve said, you’re just repeating your beliefs as if that means anything. I mean, cool opinion but you’re not really making an argument.
And anyway, if you really believed this then you would support the removal of restrictive zoning laws, which is one of the main things I would advocate to start addressing this problem.
Yeah pipelines cause harm … But moving petroleum freight and truck is better? I have a pipeline across my property… After construction its just a cleared path essentially. There’s the risk of a spill of course but look at some of the rail disasters or oil tanker incidents … The oil and gas are being moved for you and me … we all use it and if love alternatives that work but we aren’t there yet.
I’m not sure how we got turned around on removing zoning restrictions … I agree that’s helpful. Yes the invisible hand of the market … What’s the first word there? Look at all of the products you enjoy… How they came to be… People in the west are so lucky and have it so good and all they do is complain.
Anyway let’s agree to disagree. When people power starts actually providing food electricity and transportation I’ll see it as working …