Metropolitan Government and Governance Theoretical Perspectives, Empirical Analysis, and the Future

by Stephens, G. Ross; Wikstrom, Nelson

• ISBN13: 9780195112979
• ISBN10: 0195112970
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-07-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Written by two prominent political scientists working in the field oflocal government theory and practice, Metropolitan Government and Governanceoffers a comprehensive understanding of the nature of local and metropolitangovernment and its relationship to the larger intergovernmental system. Itexamines a wide range of common governmental practices and issues relating tolocal government in metropolitan areas as well as local government generally inthe United States. Stephens and Wikstrom define and present several theoreticaland applied perspectives including the consolidationist one-government approach;federative efforts to create two-tier regional governments; the public choiceapproach which justifies the fragmented governmental structures that exist inmost metropolitan areas; incremental change in relationships and roles; andregionalism which promotes regional political cultures. Each of these approachesis illustrated with concrete examples including seven case studies of majorstructural reforms that highlight strengths and weaknesses of differentapproaches to this issue. The book also analyzes citizen support and oppositionto various types of reform in both central cities and suburban areas. Moregenerally, it discusses the range of options available to urban governmentsfaced with growing problems of decreased federal funding and increasing demandsregarding quality-of-life issues. Based on past findings and experience,Stephens and Wikstrom propose a new model for the future governance of America'surban areas. They conclude with the argument that states must assume a moreassertive role with regard to the structure of local governmental and servicedelivery in the nations 300 plus metropolitan regions. Metropolitan Governmentand Governance is a comprehensive analytical inquiry that is not only highlyappropriate for students of political science and public administration, butwill also be of value to scholars and policymakers as well.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
The Metropolitan Governmental Mosaic	3	(26)
The Logic of Metropolitan Government: Origins and Evolution	29	(22)
The Elusive Quest for Metropolitan Government	51	(17)
Metropolitan Government I: City-County Consolidation	68	(20)
Metropolitan Government II: The Urban County and Limited Regional Structures	88	(17)
Public Choice: An Alternative Perspective	105	(17)
Incremental Change and the Metropolis	122	(27)
Local Government in an Intergovernmental Context	149	(17)
The Future of Metropolitan Government and Governance	166	(9)
Notes	175	(18)
Index	193