Foundations of Urban Capitalism and Social Inequality

Many foundational economic discussions revolve around how market forces shape the urban landscape, often leading to significant social inequality and ethical debates. By the end of this course, you will be able to dissect the core components of modern capitalist institutions, analyze the mechanisms that create and sustain urban poverty, and evaluate various policy interventions designed to promote equitable development. What you'll learn: * Understand the foundational economic theories that define modern capitalism and its relationship with urbanization. * Analyze how market forces, property rights, and resource allocation contribute to wealth disparity and urban poverty. * Master current methods for measuring and quantifying poverty and economic inequality, such as the Gini coefficient and multidimensional indices. * Evaluate the ethical and social arguments used to justify or challenge current capitalist institutions and urban planning decisions. * Practice applying basic policy frameworks, including affordable housing strategies and land-use regulation, to address urban inequality. The course begins with defining key terminology and historical context regarding capitalism and urbanization, followed by an in-depth examination of economic mechanisms, culminating in a review of contemporary social policies and ethical considerations. This course is designed for absolute beginners interested in urban studies, economics, or social policy; no prior knowledge of finance or advanced theory is required. Start building your understanding of the economic forces shaping our cities today.