The Cultural Contradictions of Progressive Politics

The Role of Cultural Change and the Global Economy in Local Policymaking

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, City Planning & Urban Development, Social Science, Sociology, Urban
Cover of the book The Cultural Contradictions of Progressive Politics by Donald L. Rosdil, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Donald L. Rosdil ISBN: 9781136287824
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 10, 2012
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Donald L. Rosdil
ISBN: 9781136287824
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 10, 2012
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Why do some U.S. cities like Seattle and Boston impose social exactions and sustainability targets on private investment while others like Las Vegas and Houston offer property tax and fee remissions to business, tolerate environmentally hazardous activities such as oil drilling, and express skepticism even about recycling mandates?  The behavior of the former cities appears especially puzzling in view of globalization processes that seemingly offer many more options to mobile capital and expose cities’ vulnerability to private investment decisions. 

Cultural Contradictions examines the paradoxical finding that some U.S. cities can impose burdensome regulations and extract social and environmental contributions from the private sector despite an apparently weak bargaining position. It usescultural change and the growth of non-traditional subcultures to explain why cities adopt these progressive policies. Responding to the urban policy literature’s tendency to prioritize economic considerations over other kinds of causal factors, the book demonstrates the joint impact of culture and economics in encouraging policy outcomes which emphasize social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability in large U.S. cities.

The book makes several specific contributions to urban literature. First, it argues that cities in which nontraditional cultural beliefs and practices thrive and which are strongly linked to dynamic economic sectors such as information services, professional, scientific and technical services, financial services, and education and health care services are especially likely to adopt progressive policies. It establishes this claim using both statistical analysis of large-N city samples and a closer investigation of four case studies. Second, it reveals how progressive policies are a plausible response to psychological concerns associated with unconventional ways of life and the nature of postindustrial society. Finally, the book indicates how these new ways of life and postindustrial economic sectors grow in mutually reinforcing ways in order to make these policies acceptable to local economic elites and therefore favorable to the city’s future development.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Why do some U.S. cities like Seattle and Boston impose social exactions and sustainability targets on private investment while others like Las Vegas and Houston offer property tax and fee remissions to business, tolerate environmentally hazardous activities such as oil drilling, and express skepticism even about recycling mandates?  The behavior of the former cities appears especially puzzling in view of globalization processes that seemingly offer many more options to mobile capital and expose cities’ vulnerability to private investment decisions. 

Cultural Contradictions examines the paradoxical finding that some U.S. cities can impose burdensome regulations and extract social and environmental contributions from the private sector despite an apparently weak bargaining position. It usescultural change and the growth of non-traditional subcultures to explain why cities adopt these progressive policies. Responding to the urban policy literature’s tendency to prioritize economic considerations over other kinds of causal factors, the book demonstrates the joint impact of culture and economics in encouraging policy outcomes which emphasize social justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability in large U.S. cities.

The book makes several specific contributions to urban literature. First, it argues that cities in which nontraditional cultural beliefs and practices thrive and which are strongly linked to dynamic economic sectors such as information services, professional, scientific and technical services, financial services, and education and health care services are especially likely to adopt progressive policies. It establishes this claim using both statistical analysis of large-N city samples and a closer investigation of four case studies. Second, it reveals how progressive policies are a plausible response to psychological concerns associated with unconventional ways of life and the nature of postindustrial society. Finally, the book indicates how these new ways of life and postindustrial economic sectors grow in mutually reinforcing ways in order to make these policies acceptable to local economic elites and therefore favorable to the city’s future development.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book People and Performance by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Influencing Within Organizations by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book The Work of Psychoanalysts in the Public Health Sector by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Introduction to Energy Analysis by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Law of Obligations & Legal Remedies by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Physical Education Futures by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book The Politics of Coalition in Korea by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Can Russia Change? (Routledge Revivals) by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book British Macroeconomic Policy since 1940 (Routledge Revivals) by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Digital Audio Technology by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Social Foundations of Contemporary Economics by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Cult Backgrnd Persnlty Ils 84 by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Architecture for Rapid Change and Scarce Resources by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Daniel Bell by Donald L. Rosdil
Cover of the book Greener Marketing by Donald L. Rosdil
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy