Capitalist Logic and the Production of Spaces of Inequality: The Case of Organised Food Retailers in Ankara

Abstract

Grounded in Marxist theory (Marx, Engels, Harvey), this paper argues that capitalism inherently generates crises and inequalities, even when they are temporarily masked, such as during the “Glorious 30s.” The neoliberal era is seen as a phase that privileges certain groups while sustaining capital accumulation. The paper first illustrates how urban space is instrumentalised within capitalism, then reviews evidence of social and economic injustices identified in urban research. Finally, it analyses the case of organised food retailers in Ankara through statistical methods, highlighting it as a contemporary manifestation of capitalism’s role in producing urban inequalities.