"We confront an urban wilderness more formidable and resistant and in some ways more frightening than the wilderness faced by the pilgrims or the pioneers." What Robert Kennedy warned in 1966 is, ten years later, more starkly true than ever. As controversies about American cities rage, this critique takes a hard, unflattering look at the urban plight. Those who expect facile answers, utopian visions, or panaceas should, however, be cautioned: the book offers none. What it does offer is an interior view of urban policy making and an example of the most astute kind of policy study.Professor Yates argues that the urban policy-making system is no longer capable of producing coherent decisions, developing effective policies, or implementing programs. lack of money is not the underlying cause. The real culprit has to do with contradictions fundamental to cities as political and social entities. Historically, cities evolved as "melting pots," developing haphazardly into loose structures composed of numerous antagonistic interests and forces. Urban management has largely consisted of hasty responses to crisis situations rather than long-range planning. City governments are at once too decentralized for overall policy making and too centralized to be truly responsive to its citizenry. By the same token they are both too independent of and too dependent on higher-level government (state, federal) for assistance.The basic function and distinctive feature of urban government is its service delivery. But here the system breaks down, for the mayor does not entirely control the administrators, and administrators cannot control the "street-level" employees―policemen, firemen, public school teachers. Fragmentation, instability―these are the result. The remedies are not simple and obvious, as Yates repeatedly makes clear. But if penetrating to the core of the problem is at all beneficial, The Ungovernable City is a step in the right direction.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 851286-n
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0262740133
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. In stock and ready to ship. Gift-quality. Ships with tracking the same or next business day from New Haven, CT. We fully guarantee to ship the exact same item as listed and work hard to maintain our excellent customer service. Seller Inventory # 030224026
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L0-9780262740135
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0262740133
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0262740133
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0262740133
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 0262740133-2-1
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # ABLIING23Feb2215580085167
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. This item is printed on demand. Seller Inventory # 9780262740135