Reconstructing City Politics : Alternative Economic Development and Urban Regimes

by David L. Imbroscio

• ISBN13: 9780761906131
• ISBN10: 0761906134
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-02-03
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

In this book, David L Imbroscio urges that urban political economy must move forward beyond the question of 'what is?' to a consideration of 'what might be'. He systematically poses the possibilities for reconstructing the nature of contemporary city politics, while integrating a wealth of innovative urban analysis. The author explores three alternative urban economic development strategies: entrepreneurial mercantilism, community-based economic development and municipal enterprise. He considers whether these strategies are likely to be effective for bringing about urban economic vitality and whether it is feasible for cities to pursue these efforts in the current political economic context. By addressing these questions, Imbroscio reaches conclusions about the possibilities for a successful and sustainable reconstruction of US city politics.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: BACKGROUND

Empirical and Normative Foundations

Reconstituting Urban Regimes

PART TWO: ANALYSIS

The Entrepreneurial-Mercantilist Strategy

The Community-Based Strategy

The Municipal-Enterprise Strategy

PART THREE: CONCLUSIONS

Toward a Reconstructed City Politics?