Understanding Urban Politics: Institutions, Representation, and Policies

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

In Understanding Urban Politics: Institutions, Representation, and Policies, Timothy B. Krebs and Arnold Fleischmann introduce a framework that focuses on the role of institutions in establishing the political rules of the game, the representativeness of city government, the influence of participation in local democracy, and how each of these features influences the adoption and implementation of public policies. Part 1 lays the groundwork for the rest of the book by exploring the many meanings of urban, analyzing what local governments do, and providing a history of American urban development.

Part 2 examines the organizations and procedures that are central to urban politics and policy making: intergovernmental relations, local legislatures, and the local executive branch. Part 3 looks at elections and voting, local campaigns, and non-voting forms of participation. The four chapters in Part 4 focus on the policy process and the delivery of local services, local government finances, Building the City (economic development, land use, and housing), and policies affecting the quality of life (public safety, the environment, morality issues, and urban amenities).

Krebs and Fleischmann bolster students learning and skills with guiding questions at the start of each chapter, which ends with key terms, a summary, discussion questions, and research exercises. The appendix and website aid these efforts, as does a website for instructors.

Reviews

At last! A pitch-perfect urban politics text for undergraduates. It neither cannibalizes articles or books, nor reads like an extended literature review. I look forward to teaching with it. -- Michael Leo Owens, Emory University
Krebs and Fleischmann have produced a timely, empirical examination of city politics in the Twenty-first Century. Their approach to studying cities through the central roles of individuals, groups and institutions is one of the most compelling and interesting presentations of urban politics to come along in decades. Students will become engaged with their cities through the unique and fascinating political framework of this book. -- John Pelissero, professor of political science, Loyola University Chicago
A refreshing reformulation of teaching students about local politics and government. The organization of the book balances theory and application in presenting the key information to students. Adopt this book. -- Geoffrey Willbanks, University of Texas at Tyler

Author Bio

Timothy B. Krebs is professor of political science at the University of New Mexico, where he joined the faculty in 2002 after four years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His teaching includes undergraduate and graduate course in American politics, urban politics, urban management, state and urban policy, and campaigns and elections. Krebs received his B.A. from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and earned his Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago in 1997. His publications have appeared in the American Journal of Political Science, American Politics Research, Political Research Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, Urban Affairs Review and other outlets.

Arnold Fleischmann is professor of political science at Eastern Michigan University, where he served as department head from 2009 to 2016; prior to that, he taught at the University of Georgia for 26 years. He teaches American Government, State and Local Government, Urban Politics, and State Politics. He is coauthor of The Politics in Georgia, published by the University of Georgia Press, which is now in its third edition.