Overview

In Understanding Urban Politics: Institutions, Participation, and Policies, Timothy B. Krebs and Arnold Fleischmann introduce 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.

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9781538105221

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Reviews

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 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

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

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 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 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

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. 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. 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. 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 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

Author Information

Timothy Krebs is professor and department chair of political science at the University of New Mexico. He teaches courses in American politics with a specialization in urban politics, public policy, and campaigns and elections.  His research focuses on urban elections and campaigns and urban policy.  In addition to teaching and research, Professor Krebs has served as graduate advisor in political science and book review editor of Urban Affairs Review, the premier journal of urban politics and policy research.  Prior to UNM, he taught at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Illinois Wesleyan University. Arnold Fleischmann is professor and department head of the political science department at Eastern Michigan University since 2009; prior to that he taught at the University of Georgia for 20 years. He teaches American Government, State and Local Government, Urban Politics, and Urban Development. He is coauthor of The Politics in Georgia, published by the University of Georgia Press, now going into its third edition.

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