Homeownership in Hong Kong: House Buying as Hope Mechanism

This book explores the cultural framework of homeownership and social stability in Hong Kong, arguing that homeownership is integral to the social imagination of the future and a hope mechanism for social stability. It provides a valuable resource for scholars in economic culture, financialization, and Asian Studies.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 138 pages
\n Publication date: 25 May 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
\n

This book delves into the intricate cultural framework that connects homeownership to social stability in Hong Kong. In the post-war era, homeownership emerged as the preferred housing option in developed societies like Australia, Britain, Japan, Spain, and the United States. However, in the era of financialization, the widespread adoption of homeownership led to the accumulation of immense wealth and debt in the housing and mortgage markets, ultimately impacting social stability by fostering inequality and making housing unaffordable. Hong Kong stands as a striking example of this phenomenon among developed societies, making international headlines for its housing challenges and social unrest.

By examining the historical trajectory of homeownership in Hong Kong over a span of four decades, Chung-kin Tsang proposes a novel perspective that views homeownership as an integral part of the social imagination, conceptualizing it as a hope mechanism. This framework serves as a valuable tool for tracing the connections between homeownership, which is central to shaping individuals' identities, life goals, and temporal mapping for shared life planning, and social stability.

What sets this book apart is its unique analytical approach, particularly its utilization of hope as a critical category. This approach offers a fresh perspective on the study of homeownership and its relationship to social dynamics, making it an invaluable resource for scholars in economic culture, financialization, and Asian Studies, particularly those focused on the cultural, sociopolitical, and economic history of Hong Kong.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive exploration of the cultural dimensions of homeownership and its impact on social stability in Hong Kong. Through its innovative approach and insightful analysis, it offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between housing, finance, and society, contributing to our understanding of the dynamics shaping contemporary urban environments.

\n Weight: 242g\n
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781032004419\n \n