Crackhouse economics
This man managed the crackhouse and employed local youth to sell drugs
Who is Ray
This was a major reason workers accepted low irregular pay from ray
What is the lack of other employment opportunities
Despite being the boss, Ray had to balance authority with this street-level value to avoid conflict
What is respect
Bourgois argues that this systemic issue traps people like Ray and his workers in the underground economy
What is structural poverty or economic marginalization
Instead of a fixed wage, Ray often paid his dealers using this method
What is the share of the profits or in crack
Ray preferred to hire these types of workers to ensure loyalty and reduce the risk of theft
who are friends, family members, or people from the neighborhood
Workers often tolerated Ray's exploitation because of this kind of social bond
What is loyalty/neighborhood & family ties
Ray's leadership often depended more on this trait than on formal rules
What is street credibility
This is one reason why formal employment was not a realistic option for many in East Harlem
What is discrimination or lack of access to quality education and jobs
This was the primary reason Ray couldn't enforce strict discipline or long-term employed
What is fear of retaliation
Ray justified underpaying his workers and having unstable schedules with this concept
What is the moral economy or street loyalty
Rays workers were vulnerable to sudden dismissal for this common reason
what is suspicion of stealing or disloyalty
Ray avoided acting too "bossy" because it risked this reaction from his employees
What is being disrespected
Bourgois uses this term to describe how drug dealing became a normalized economic strategy
What is "moral economy"
Ray's management style reflects these two contradictions of inner-city capitalism
What are exploitation and mutual dependence