Understanding Urban Politics

Preface
About the Authors


Part 1: Laying the Groundwork

Chapter 1: Studying Urban Politics

First Things First: What is 'Urban,' Anyway?What's Different about Local Government and Politics?Types of U.S. Local Governments and What They DoThe World of Local Governments

Chapter 2: The Development of Urban America through World War II

History as a Lens for Understanding Urban PoliticsPre-industrial CitiesUrban Development from the 1870s to World War IThe 1920s through World War II

Chapter 3: Urban Development after World War II

Suburbanization and Minority Concentration in Central CitiesPostwar Urban Development and PoliticsNew Urban Regions and Groups in the Late 20th CenturyUrban Development in the 21st Century

Part 2: Local Institutions

Chapter 4: Dealing with Other Governments at the National, State, and Local Levels

Local Governments in the American Federal SystemState Limits on Local GovernmentsFederal Efforts to Influence Local GovernmentsDealing with Other Governments

Chapter 5: Local Legislatures

Institutional Context of Local LegislaturesThe Functions of City CouncilsRepresenting Constituents

Chapter 6: Mayors and Executives

The Context of Mayoral LeadershipMayoral Leadership: Formal and Informal Sources of PowersCity Managers and AdministratorsThe Urban BureaucracyLocal Constitutional Officers

Part 3: Participation and Representation in Local Politics

Chapter 7: Elections and Voting

Urban Electoral ProcessVoter Turnout in Urban ElectionsVoter Choice in Urban Elections

Chapter 8: Candidates and Campaigns

From Group-Based to Candidate-Centered ElectionsInstitutional Context of Urban Candidates and CampaignsUrban Campaigns

Chapter 9: Non-Voting Forms of Participation

Non-Voting Forms of Participation in Urban PoliticsCitizen ContactingPolitical Parties and Urban Interest GroupsPolitical CampaigningProtests and RebellionsVoting with Your Feet

Part 4: Local Government Policies

Chapter 10: Local Government Policy Making and Services

The Policy ProcessTypes of PoliciesProviding Local ServicesAlternative Service Methods

Chapter 11: Local Government Finances

Local Government SpendingLocal Government Revenue SourcesLocal Government Budgeting

Chapter 12: Building the City: Economic Development, Land Use, & Housing Policies

Economic Development PoliciesLand UseHousingCritical Issues in the Shaping of Urban America

Chapter 13: Policies to Promote Quality of Life

Public SafetyEnvironmental PoliciesUrban AmenitiesMorality Politics: Battling over Community Values

Glossary
Index