this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2026
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Ecology
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Cool, and China has a 90% home ownership rate. So things can also be much better
I mean, China achieves this homeownership rate via liberal use of imminent domain power, cheap labor, shoddy construction, and a lack of worker safety regulation, which allows them to construct large amounts of housing quickly and cheaply.
In, say, France, the government is far less likely to displace people and tear down their homes in order to build a 40 story apartment building. And if someone does decide to build a 40 story apartment building, they need to ensure it won't create a significant negative impact on the environment, that it will be safe and structurally sound, that the workers are paid decently and mostly go home with all their fingers and toes. France used to be able to build huge amounts of housing - but then they decided they valued human life over making buildings quickly.
So there are trade offs, is what I'm saying
The US does all the same things you portray China doing as bad as well. Go look at any inspection videos of new construction housing and you would be appalled at the horrific quality. And those workers are largely undocumented migrants who are getting exploited as well. So someone with my job in China is able to own their own apartment in of similar quality to the one I currently rent. The Chinese government has made it clear that they will not bail out housing speculators to ensure that a home's primary purpose is providing shelter instead of increasing net worth.
What about France?