URBAN POLITICS

Urban politics refers both to what local state

agencies do and to the external, mobilized social
groups which try to influence their policies. Local
states make decisions which affect life in cities;
and at the same time, sections of the populations
of those cities, through their attempts at influencing
local government, in elections, movements and
campaigns, reciprocally affect the state and its
policies.
How does the cities shift from Managerialism to
Entrepreneurialism? Managerialism is a belief or
reliance on the use of professional managers in
administering or planning an activity.
Entrepreneurialism is the ability to start new
business, especially when this involves seeing
new opportunities to make money. 1980's
discovered the widespread recognition that a new
mode of urban government has emerged in cities
in many parts of the world. - New phase of urban
government has been characterized as
entrepreneurial in nature. Concerned primarily with
the promotion of local economic development and
the attraction of investments and job to localities
(Logan and Molotch et al). What distinguishes this
phase from earlier 'managerial' is the diminished
role of the city government as provider of welfare
services and collective consumption (Castell 1977,
Pinch 1985).
What is the relationship between local state and
capitalist system? The decline of the city as a
center of political power in America and the
secession of power and resources to the suburds
has changed the face of American local politics in
many regions resulting in the dominance of a
politics of suburban self-interest. Issues dominates
politics in many American urban regions is the
fragmentation of American urban politics linked to
processes of suburbanization.
THEORY OF URBAN POLITICS
Pluralist Perspective. While recognizing the
presence of powerful elite interest within urban
politics, argues that power is more diffuse and
community interest are also represented within
government.
Growth Coalition. Development of elitist
Perspective that suggests the influence of strongly
pro- growth Coalition who benefit from growth in
local and regional economies while seeking to
persuade that the benefits of this growth are
widespread.
Structuralism Perspective. Structuralism is an
approach within geography which is characterized
by the fact that the belief that to understand the
surface patterns of human behavior, it is
necessary to have knowledge about the structures
underlying them which produce or shape human
actions.
Regime Theory. Regime theory is a theory within
international relations derived from the liberal
tradition that argues that international institutions
or regimes affect the behavior of states or other
international actors.
Elitist Perspective. Cities are seen as being
controlled by narrowly constituted, powerful elites,
primarily drawn from and supporting, financial and
business interest.
State- managerial. Views that urban managers
influence the control of social goods.