Accumulation by repossession: the political economy of evictions under austerity

ABSTRACT

In this article we draw from Harvey’s concept of “accumulation by dispossession” to show how this rise in evictions signifies an acute form of dispossession specific to financial capitalism and austerity and, in so doing, examine the lucrative, contemporary political economy of evictions. We explore the contemporary political economy of evictions by focusing on the relationship between recent UK welfare reforms and the growth in household debt and risk. We further illustrate how the growth of evictions under austerity increases the role of the debt recovery and enforcement industry that profits from household debt. We argue that evictions and the corresponding growth of the debt recovery and enforcement industry, can be described as a form of “accumulation by repossession”, where profit is produced through repossession and extraction of debt from low-income people and places. In doing so, we try to capture the realities of a contemporary political economy of evictions.

KEYWORDS:

• Eviction
• austerity
• accumulation
• dispossession
• debt enforcement
• poverty

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. From Freedom of Information Request https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/evictions_due_to_bedroom_tax_2?unfold=1#incoming-784981.

2. This data is publicly available from Companies House, the national registrar of company data. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk

3. Company information available online http://www.outsourcing.co.jp/en/.

4. HC (2016). Courts: Fines: Written question, 34643. 19 April. http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written- question/Commons/2016–04-19/34643/.

5. HC (2016). Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection: Written question, 26027.12 Feb, http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written- question/Commons/2016–02-05/26027/.

6. Hansard, 2016 18 October 0615. 254WH – 255WH. https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-10-18/debates/16101828000001/ConcentrixTaxCreditClaimants.

7. At the time of writing this article, the fate of this policy is yet unknown given the recent change in Prime Minister.