Deurbanization: Then & Now
In a previous blog, I drew parallels to the
economic decline of Rome with the impending economic decline of America. Another
parallel could be drawn to take in the issue of deurbanization. Rome was
preeminently an urban empire. It's power was founded on cities, particularly
Rome itself. But when the price of slaves rose, labor shortages in the country
caused an exodus from the cities to the country.
America conceivably could be facing a similar
exodus. The first major causality of high oil prices will be the car. But other
the gas/diesel powered truck can't be far behind. In any case, transporting food
will become increasingly expensive. And driving several miles to a big
supermarket will of course also present problems, since few people will have
cars. Many people will want to grow their own food, or at least be close to
places where food is readily available at decent prices. This means a flight to
the country, as cities become more and more expensive to maintain.
Posted: Tue - October 4, 2005 at 05:09 PM