Globalism and Local Democracy: Challenge and Change in Europe and North America

This text argues that cities and citizens are not helpless victims in a global flow of events. Three crucial questions are addressed through the three part structure: what is the nature of the globalization? What resulting challenges now confront cities and localities? How can local leaders respond to this changing environment in ways which strengthen local democracy? Written by urban scholars in Europe and North America the book draws on a range of disciplines to enhance academic understanding and illuminate lessons for policy and practice.

Table of Contents:
Globalism and Local Democracy; R.Hambleton, H.V.Savitch and M.Stewart PART I: THE GLOBALIZATION PROCESS The Globalization Process; H.V.Savitch Globalization and Cities: A North American Perspective; S.E.Clarke Urban Homogenization and Diversification in West Europe; F.Ascher Globalization and Transformations in Political Cultures; T.N.Clark PART II: CITIES AT RISK-CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY Rapid Transformations in Post-socialist Cities: Towards an Uncertain Future; M.F.Reid Managing Urban Ethnic Conflict; S.Bollens Urban Policies in The Netherlands: From Social Renewal to Big Cities Policy; R.C.Kloosterman & D.Broeders PART III: INNOVATION IN URBAN GOVERNANCE The New City Management; R.Hambleton A Network Paradigm for Urban Governance?; C.Collinge & A.Srbjanin Metropolitan Governance and Institutional Dynamics; B.Jouve & C.Lefèvre Local Democracy, Cross-border Collaboration and the Internationalization of Local Government; A.Church & P.Reid

About the Author :
ROBIN HAMBLETON is Dean at the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, University of Illinois, Chicago. He is former Chair of the European Urban Research Association and is Vice Chair of the Urban Affairs Association which is based in North America. He has written or edited eight books on urban governance and numerous articles. - H.V. SAVITCH, Brown and Williamson distinguished research Professor of Urban and Public Affairs and directs the Master of Public Administration Programme at the University of Louisville. He is a former Fulbright Scholar and co-editor of the Journal of Urban Affairs. Professor Savitch has written or edited eight books on urban affairs and numerous journal articles. - MURRAY STEWART is Professor of Urban and Regional Governance in the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Previously working at the Universities of Glasgow, Kent and Bristol, he has numerous research publications focusing on contemporary urban policy and governance.

Review :
'[Globalism and Local Democracy is] a thoughtful collection of essays that brings an international perspective to a key issue for the government of our cities.' - Professor Sir Peter Hall, Institute of Community Studies, London and Bartlett School of Planning, University College London 'An excellent and accessible contribution to a topic for growing importance. It addresses all the key issues and is optimistic in seeing an increase in opportunities for local democracy at neighbourhood and city levels, and identifying new brokering roles for local government.' - Professor Wim Wiewel, Dean, College of Business Administration, Universtiy of Illinois at Chicago and President, American Collegiate Schools of Planning '[An] important collection of essays...this book begins to provide some answers about how globalization affects different localities and citizens...the collection...contains sufficient stimulating material...causes the reader to think further about the wicked issues is addresses.' - Mike Goldsmith, University of Salford, Journal of Public Policy