Foxconned: Imaginary Jobs, Bulldozed Homes, and the Sacking of Local Government

Foxconned is a powerful and resonant book that provides a definitive autopsy of the Foxconn fiasco and a dire warning to communities and states nationwide. It reveals how the economic incentive infrastructure is broken, leading to waste, cronyism, and the transfer of tax revenue to corporations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Powerful and resonant, Foxconned is both the definitive autopsy of the Foxconn fiasco and a dire warning to communities and states nationwide. When Wisconsin governor Scott Walker stood shoulder to shoulder with President Trump and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan at the White House in July 2017, they painted a glorious picture of his state's future. Foxconn, the enormous China-based electronics firm, was promising to bring TV manufacturing back to the United States with a $10 billion investment and 13,000 well-paying jobs. They were actually making America great again, they crowed.

Two years later, the project was in shambles. Ten thousand construction workers were supposed to have been building what Trump had promised would be "the eighth wonder of the world." Instead, land had been seized, homes had been destroyed, and hundreds of millions of municipal dollars had been committed for just a few hundred jobs—nowhere near enough for Foxconn to earn the incentives Walker had shoveled at them.

In Foxconned, journalist Lawrence Tabak details the full story of this utter collapse, which was disturbingly inevitable. As Tabak shows, everything about Foxconn was a disaster. But worse, he reveals how the economic incentive infrastructure across the country is broken, leading to waste, cronyism, and the steady transfer of tax revenue to corporations. Tabak details every kind of financial chicanery, from eminent domain abuse to good old-fashioned looting—all to benefit a coterie of consultants, politicians, and contractors. With compassion and care, he also reports the distressing stories of the many individuals whose lives were upended by Foxconn.

The Foxconn fiasco was a cautionary tale of the dangers of relying on corporate incentives to attract investment. The project was plagued by numerous problems, including poor management, labor issues, and environmental concerns. The company's promises of creating thousands of jobs and bringing economic prosperity to the area were never fulfilled, leaving local communities and governments with a massive financial burden.

One of the most significant problems with the Foxconn project was the lack of transparency and accountability. The company was granted extensive tax breaks and other incentives by the Wisconsin government, but there was little oversight or monitoring of the project's progress. This led to wasteful spending and the misuse of public funds, as well as the exploitation of workers by the company.

Another issue with the Foxconn project was the company's treatment of its workers. The company employed thousands of low-wage workers from China, who were subjected to long hours, poor working conditions, and even forced labor. Many workers reported being paid less than the minimum wage, and some were forced to work overtime without proper compensation. The company's labor practices were widely criticized and led to calls for greater worker protections and labor standards.

The environmental impact of the Foxconn project was also significant. The company's manufacturing facilities were known for their pollution and waste, and the company's operations were blamed for causing air and water pollution in the area. The company was required to implement environmental regulations and measures to reduce its impact, but there were reports of the company violating these regulations and continuing to pollute.

The Foxconn fiasco also highlighted the need for greater regulatory oversight and accountability in the business and government sectors. The project was a prime example of how corporations can exploit government incentives and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of taxes and contribute to the economic and environmental problems of the communities they operate in.

In conclusion, the Foxconn fiasco was a devastating example of the dangers of relying on corporate incentives to attract investment. The project's failure to deliver on its promises and the negative impact it had on local communities and governments serve as a warning to policymakers and businesses alike. It is essential to prioritize transparency, accountability, and worker protections in any economic development project, and to ensure that the benefits of investment are shared by all members of society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226824055