Rent

The problem of rent is at the root of vital social concerns in the twenty-first century, ranging from the climate emergency and spiralling economic inequality to the repercussions of global economic crises. But while many of us may be familiar with rent (especially paying it), how should we really understand it? Examining both concrete contexts and complex concepts, in this book Joe Collins provides a comprehensive but concise survey of the theories and debates over rent and rentier capitalism. He examines global gentrification from São Paolo to Dublin, the tyranny of technology from Taipei to San Francisco, and the excesses of extractivism from Sekondi to Karratha. In doing so, he reveals how rent is fundamental to the current dominant form of capitalist social organization across the globe and how we can prevent the next generation from seeing our societies rent asunder. An essential resource for students and scholars alike, this groundbreaking book will be of interest to anyone working on capitalism, property, political economy, economic sociology and contemporary politics. "The problem of rent is at the roof of vital social concerns in the twenty-first century, ranging from the climate emergency and spiralling economic inequality to the repercussions of global economic crises. But while many of us may be familiar with rent (especially paying it), how should we really understand it? Examining both concrete contexts and complex concepts, in this book Joe Collins provides a comprehensive but concise survey of the theories and debates over rent and rentier capitalism. He examines global gentrification from São Paolo to Dublin, the tyranny of technology from Taipei to San Francisco, and the excesses of extractivism from Sekondi to Karratha. In doing so, he reveals how rent is fundamental to the current dominant form of capitalist social organization across the globe and how we can prevent the next generation from seeing our societies rend asunder. An essential resource for students and scholars alike, this groundbreaking book will be of interest to anyone working on capitalism, property, political economy, economic sociology and contemporary politics."--Back cover Cover Title page Copyright page Contents Acknowledgements 1 What is Rent? Introducing the new ‘-ization’ of the 2020s The contested meaning of rent: land or monopoly? 2 Rent Theory in Historical Perspective Rent before capitalism Physiocracy and landed property in capitalism Classical political economy and the class war on rentiers Marx’s ‘shitty rent business’ 3 Mainstream Rent Theory Economic rent Quasi-rent Monopoly rent Rent seeking Neoclassicals and the ‘end of history’ for rent? 4 Rent Theory in Modern Political Economy World mining rent and financialized food Technoscience rent Land rent at the margins Resource curse, Dutch disease and rent policy Defining rent? 5 Why is Rent Important Today? Rent and economic inequality Ecology, rent and the climate crisis Global rentier capitalism and economic dynamism Concepts and contexts in rent theory Notes Chapter 1 What is Rent? Chapter 2 Rent Theory in Historical Perspective Chapter 3 Mainstream Rent Theory Chapter 4 Rent Theory in Modern Political Economy Chapter 5 Why is Rent Important Today? References Index EULA