What Detroit can learn from Gotham

Arguably the greatest hero in the DC pantheon, Superman was long known to fight for "Truth, Justice and the American Way". Although nowadays his national identity is played down somewhat there's still a strong sense that Superman's very being is tied to America's self image. He represents hope, liberty, and most importantly a sense of aspiration. You could even argue that his bulletproof skin and ability to fly are not only mere superpowers but a statement that the American Way is impervious to assault and unrestricted in potential. However, this mantra hasn't always been accepted without reproach. In the 1978 film, when the Man of Steel informs Lois that he fights for the American Way, she wryly responds "You'll be fighting every elected official in this country." As is often the case, history has taught us to always listen to Lois.


The current state of Detroit should be seen as a harrowing blow to this image America holds for itself. There's no denying that, at the table of Socio-Economic Policy Roulette, the USA, more than any other country, has its chips squarely placed on Capitalism. America were the standard bearer for the capitalist way during the Cold War, the ideas of prosperity and opportunity encapsulate the frontier spirit upon which the country was founded, and the hallowed American Dream is, at it's core, one of individual enterprise. We're supposed to think that this is the way forward, that it will lead to greater national prosperity and, importantly, will allow even the poorest amongst us to live a life of relative comfort.

Then a city went bankrupt. Detroit, Michigan is $18 billion in debt and has decided to go into administration. Causes for this unprecedented move were linked to:

• A declining car industry
• Population decline due to middle class flight
• Corrupt city management and predatory lending from banks

On top of that, here are some fun facts about Detroit's current state:

• It has America's highest homicide rate
• Police response times are 58 minutes
• Only 8.7% of crimes committed are subsequently solved
• Over 78,000 buildings are abandoned

These are some pretty horrifying statistics, indicative of institutional neglect and an unspeakable lack of public order. It seems quite clear this is not something that Superman can punch back into working order. It's a deep routed problem that can't be solved through simple means. Essentially, you can't make make Detroit better from following the teachings of a well meaning Metropolitan. To achieve true positive change, you need a Gothamite.

You need Batman.

Ok I realise this seems fairly dramatic and you might believe that violent vigilantism is maybe not the best move in the current climate but I'm not suggesting you genuinely need the caped crusader to show up and start breaking heads from the mean streets all the way to city hall. You just need what Batman represents to Gotham, because if it weren't for his presence, that city would have gone the same way as Detroit long ago*.

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Ways Batman Saved Gotham

1) Community Spirit
Ironically, Bruce Wayne represents the very thing that is killing Detroit right now. He lives in a prestigious manor house outside the city. This is an obvious parallel to the 'White Flight' that is leaving Detroit so grossly underpopulated. However as Batman, Bruce is responsible for inspiring Gothamites to band together to improve their city in whatever way they can. Now it's not nice to suggest that Detroit's citizens are apathetic to one another, but the rampant exodus of the middle classes to the suburbs seems indicative of a significant minority which would rather leave a troubled city than work to improve it. A better supported group of people, dedicated to their city, coming together to improve it through a greater involvement in Detroit's politics and finances is an effective way to remind the people in office who their real bosses are.

2) Loyal Enterprises
Batman, through his company Wayne Enterprises, has managed to invest large amounts of money into his city's infrastructure. This act is as important to Gotham as his costumed crusade against petty and organised crime and it's also something Detroit sorely needs. The automotive industry has largely been outsourced by America and the city is now feeling those effects in a big way. Wayne Enterprises could go elsewhere for cheaper business but it's Bruce's loyalty to his city keeps it from going under in a big way. It's a bitter fact that a corporation's sole concern is increasing it's cash flow and it's about time we found a way to ensure the continued presence of business in cities.

3) Removal of Corruption
A misconception about Batman is that he spends his vast fortune beating up muggers instead of fighting greater injustices. This isn't true Reginald. Batman conducts his own far reaching investigation into the police force, working with Commissioner Gordon to ensure it's integrity, and into the corrupt bodies who run the city. We can talk about community improvement and bringing in strong industry all we want but the crux of Detroit's issues come from predatory lending from banks and a city governance that borrowed irresponsibly. What Batman represents in this contexts is an impartial body that observes correct practise and actually has the power to shut down unethical behaviour.

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It's through these three steps, building a sense of community, establishing loyal businesses and tackling unethical city management that Batman keeps Gotham afloat and prevents it's eventual bankruptcy. However recent developments suggest that, through these actions, Batman didn't just save Gotham, Batman saved all of America. The second worst thing about this whole debacle is that, to cover the debt, the city of Detroit is going to be using money that pretty much comes directly from the pensions of its citizens. It's paying for its own poor financial decisions using the hard earned and sensibly stored money of its people.

That's the second worst thing.

The worst thing is that other cities in America are watching the developments in Detroit closely. If this policy of removing money from their own citizen's pockets goes through the courts and isn't deemed a completely illegal act, it will be seen as a green light for cities in similar financial straits to use their constituents as a cash reservoir to pay off their debts.

What conclusion can we take from this? Well I think the most self evident and obvious truth we can derive is that Batman is better than Superman. Superman is an ideal, a glimpse of what we could possibly become and an example for us to follow. However it's easy to talk about moving mountains when you can legitimately move mountains. Batman although he may seem less idealistic, is representative of genuine and effective social change. In order to tackle the increasing ramifications of an increasingly unrestricted and unaccountable capitalist ideology, America has to stop seeing itself as a paragon of prosperity and start getting its hands dirty, doing what has to be done to prevent devastating national decline. It's time for America to put on the cowl of civil responsibility, adopt the gravelly tone of financial competence and stop Gotham from becoming any more of a reality that it already is.

*The county in which Detroit stands is Wayne County... coincidence? Yes but it's still interesting.