ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 、「ラストベルト」Rust Belt
どこで聞いたか、定かではありませんが、ラストベルト
The Rust Belt refers to a region in the northeastern and midwestern United States characterized by a history of heavy industry, manufacturing, and economic decline, especially since the mid-20th century. This area once thrived due to its steel mills, automobile factories, and other manufacturing industries, which provided a significant portion of the nation’s economic output and employment. However, beginning in the 1970s, the region saw a steep decline in industrial activity due to several factors, including:
ラストベルトとは、重工業、製造業、経済衰退の歴史を特徴とする米国北東部および中西部の地域を指す。かつてこの地域は、製鉄所、自動車工場、その他の製造業によって繁栄し、全米の経済生産高と雇用の大部分を担っていた。しかし1970年代以降、この地域は、以下のようないくつかの要因によって産業活動が急減した：
Globalization and Outsourcing: Many manufacturing jobs moved to countries with cheaper labor costs, making it harder for U.S. factories to compete.
Technological Advancements: Automation and improved manufacturing technology reduced the need for as many workers in traditional industries.
Shift in Economic Focus: The U.S. economy began shifting toward technology, finance, and services, leading to a reduced emphasis on manufacturing.
Key Cities and States
The Rust Belt spans across several states, including parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and New York. Key cities often associated with the Rust Belt include Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Milwaukee. These cities were known for their steel production, car manufacturing, and other heavy industries.
Economic and Social Impact
The decline in manufacturing jobs led to rising unemployment, population loss, and urban decay in many Rust Belt cities. This, in turn, affected local economies, which had previously relied heavily on factory jobs. Many areas saw increased poverty, lower property values, and infrastructure decay. Some areas also faced increased social issues, including crime and lower educational attainment.
Revival Efforts
In recent decades, various cities in the Rust Belt have sought to diversify their economies and promote urban renewal. Some have succeeded in attracting new industries, such as technology, healthcare, education, and green energy. For example:
Pittsburgh has transitioned toward a technology and healthcare-driven economy.
Detroit has worked to revitalize its downtown area and attract entrepreneurs.
Buffalo and other cities have developed tourism and cultural initiatives.
Cultural Legacy
The Rust Belt’s industrial past has left a lasting cultural impact, with music, art, and literature often reflecting themes of working-class life, economic hardship, resilience, and community.
ストベルトの工業地帯としての過去は、音楽、芸術、文学に労働者階級の生活、経済的苦難、回復力、コミュニティといったテーマを反映させるなど、永続的な文化的影響を残してきた。
Rust Belt rʌst bɛlt ラストベルト（アメリカ中西部と北東部の工業地帯）
northeastern nɔːrˈθiːstərn 北東部の
midwestern mɪdˈwɛstərn 中西部の
characterized ˈkærɪktəraɪzd 特徴付けられた
heavy industry ˈhɛvi ˈɪndəstri 重工業
manufacturing ˌmænjʊˈfæktʃərɪŋ 製造業
economic decline ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk dɪˈklaɪn 経済の衰退
steel mills stiːl mɪlz 製鉄所
automobile factories ˈɔːtəməˌbiːl ˈfæktəriz 自動車工場
economic output ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈaʊtpʊt 経済生産
employment ɪmˈplɔɪmənt 雇用
industrial activity ɪnˈdʌstriəl ækˈtɪvɪti 工業活動
Globalization ˌɡloʊbələˈzeɪʃən グローバリゼーション
outsourcing ˈaʊtsɔːrsɪŋ アウトソーシング
technological advancements ˌtɛknəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ædˈvænsmənts 技術革新
automation ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃən 自動化
traditional industries trəˈdɪʃənl ˈɪndəstriz 伝統産業
economic focus ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈfəʊkəs 経済の焦点
technology tɛkˈnɒlədʒi 技術
finance ˈfaɪnæns 金融
services ˈsɜːrvɪsɪz サービス業
Pennsylvania ˌpɛnsɪlˈveɪniə ペンシルベニア州
Ohio oʊˈhaɪoʊ オハイオ州
Michigan ˈmɪʃɪgən ミシガン州
Illinois ˌɪləˈnɔɪ イリノイ州
Indiana ˌɪndiˈænə インディアナ州
New York nuː jɔːrk ニューヨーク州
steel production stiːl prəˈdʌkʃən 鉄鋼生産
car manufacturing kɑːr ˌmænjʊˈfæktʃərɪŋ 自動車製造
economic and social impact ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ənd ˈsəʊʃəl ˈɪmpækt 経済的および社会的影響
unemployment ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt 失業
population loss ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən lɒs 人口減少
urban decay ˈɜːrbən dɪˈkeɪ 都市の衰退
poverty ˈpɒvərti 貧困
infrastructure decay ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər dɪˈkeɪ インフラの衰退
social issues ˈsəʊʃəl ˈɪʃuːz 社会問題
lower educational attainment ˈləʊər ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃənl əˈteɪnmənt 低い教育達成度
revival efforts rɪˈvaɪvəl ˈɛfərts 復興の取り組み
urban renewal ˈɜːrbən rɪˈnjuːəl 都市再生
tourism ˈtʊərɪzəm 観光
cultural initiatives ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz 文化的取り組み
cultural legacy ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈlɛgəsi 文化的遺産
working-class life ˈwɜːrkɪŋ ˌklæs laɪf 労働者階級の生活
resilience rɪˈzɪliəns 回復力、レジリエンス
community kəˈmjuːnɪti コミュニティ、地域社会
Follow me!
