Climate and Social Justice: The Political Economy of Urban Resilience and Mercantilism (Urban Sustainability)

This book offers a fresh perspective on the historical, economic, and cultural foundations of capitalism, cities, and climate change. By exploring the intersection of urbanization, consumerism, and colonialism, the book sheds new light on the origins and development of the economic system that has shaped our world today. What sets this book apart is its unique approach, which challenges conventional wisdom and offers new insights into the complex relationships between culture, politics, and economics. The book is intended for readers interested in the history and evolution of capitalism and its impact on society, as well as those interested in climate change and urbanization. The content level is accessible for general readers, yet sophisticated enough to appeal to scholars and researchers. The two most important features of the book are its fresh perspective on the history of mercantilism and its examination of the economic landscape of cities and climate change. By reading this book, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between urbanization, colonialism, and economic policies, and their impact on contemporary society. About This Book 7 Contents 8 Prologue 10 About the Authors 12 1 On Capitalism, Cities, and Culture in the Colonial Era 14 1.1 Introduction 14 1.2 On Marx and Colonialism 18 1.3 Colonialism and the Political Economic Landscape 21 1.4 The Role of Cultural Tools for Power 24 1.5 The Relationship Between Colonial Cities and the Empire 26 References 33 2 The Economic Landscape of Cities and Climate Change 37 2.1 Introduction 37 2.2 From Industrialisation to the Service Industry 40 2.3 Cities and Climate Change 42 2.3.1 Climate Change and the Urban Economy 44 2.4 The Need for Revised Models 46 2.5 Conclusion 49 References 49 3 Urban Consumerism and Colonial Structures of Mercantilism 54 3.1 Introduction 54 3.2 Coastal Cities and Colonialism 56 3.3 Military, Trade, and Mercantilism 59 3.4 Ports as Nodes of Diversity 61 3.5 Post-colonialism and Economic Injustice 64 3.6 Conclusion 67 References 67 4 Crafting and Transforming Colonial Empires and Landscapes 72 4.1 Introduction 72 4.2 Re-defining Hierarchies of Power 74 4.3 Introducing the Geopolitical Culture of Mass Consumption 76 4.4 Cementing Cultural Homogeneity in Colonial Empires 79 4.5 The Economic Tragedy of Cultural Loss, as Reported Two Centuries Later 81 References 84 5 Redefining Climate Policy and Economic Resilience in the Consuming World 87 5.1 Introduction 87 5.2 On Cities and Political Leadership for Climate Change Mitigation 89 5.3 Consumerism and Climate Change 91 5.4 Climate Change Financing 93 5.4.1 The Unsustainability of Climate Change Debt Financing 94 5.5 Climate Change Emissions Trading Mechanisms 97 5.6 Smart Contracts Through the Blockchain 99 5.7 A Proposed Alternative Model 101 5.7.1 Regional Decarbonisation 102 5.7.2 Reframing Emissions Trading Schemes 103 5.7.3 Smart Contracts 104 5.7.4 Blockchain 104 5.7.5 Artificial Intelligence 105 5.8 Conclusion 106 References 106 6 Climate and Social Justice in the Political Landscape of Urban Resilience and Mercantilism: A Concluding Note 113 6.1 A Concluding Note 113 6.2 Further Discussions for Future Research 116 6.3 A Summary 118 References 119 Index 121