Political Monopolies in American Cities
The Rise and Fall of Bosses and Reformers
Political Monopolies in American Cities
The Rise and Fall of Bosses and Reformers
Situating her in-depth studies of Chicago and San Jose in the broad context of data drawn from more than 240 cities over the course of a century, she finds that the answer—a resounding yes—illuminates the nature of political power. Both political machines and reform governments, she reveals, bias the system in favor of incumbents, effectively establishing monopolies that free governing coalitions from dependence on the support of their broader communities. Ironically, Trounstine goes on to show, the resulting loss of democratic responsiveness eventually mobilizes residents to vote monopolistic regimes out of office. Envisioning an alternative future for American cities, Trounstine concludes by suggesting solutions designed to free urban politics from this damaging cycle.
296 pages | 10 line drawings, 30 tables | 6 x 9 | © 2008
Political Science: American Government and Politics, Urban Politics
Sociology: Urban and Rural Sociology
Reviews
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Logic of Political Monopolies
2. Foundations of Political Monopolies
3. Coordinating Monopolies
4. Establishing Political Monopolies
5. Effects of Political Monopolies
6. Monopoly Collapse
7. The Rise and Fall of Bosses and Reformers
Appendix
Notes
References
Index
Awards
Choice Magazine: CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Awards
Won
APSA Urban and Local Politics Section: Dennis Judd Best Book Award
Won
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