JK Galbraith - private opulence and public squalor, the case of housing

In 1958, JK Galbraith, the Canadian-American economist wrote a book entitles the Affluent Society.  One of the most incisive comments was that in a market-led society private opulence and public squalor coexisted.  The full quote – “In a community where public services have failed to keep abreast of private consumption things are very different. Here, in an atmosphere of private opulence and public squalor, the private goods have full sway”  [Galbraith, 1959].

 

 In the United Kingdom housing provision is market led with priority given to housing for the affluent, for the few rather than the many.

 

Housing exemplifies this issue.  In Cornwall we have luxury dwellings, expensive second homes and desirable holiday lets juxtaposed with lower quality housing, areas of deprivation and significant problems facing those seeking a home.

 

Galbraith, J,K,. (1958),The Affluent Society, ch. 18.