The Rebirth of Urban Democracy

"The best book I've read on the relationship between government structures and community based systems. While presenting a tough-minded comparative review of citizen participation, The Rebirth of Urban Democracy also serves to inspire those of us who despair of government operating solely through its bureaucracies." --George Latimer, Hamline University School of Law, Former Mayor, City of St. Paul " The Rebirth of Urban Democracy addresses questions about the causes and consequences of political participation that have been rise many times during the past two hundred years or so. This book brings a mountain of evidence to bear on those questions and offers answers more substantial and well-grounded than any I have seen so far." --Matthew Crenson, Johns Hopkins University "This work offers solid evidence on something we in Dayton have long known --a system of citizen participation is a necessary ingredient for good government and is the best antidote to American's widespread alienation from politics." --Tony Capizzi, City Commissioner, Dayton, Ohio "Crime, drugs, gangs and unemployment are the concerns of neighborhoods. Homes are built and jobs are created by community development corporations. Solutions to racism, unemployment and homelessness are found in the people of the neighborhoods. The Rebirth of Urban Democracy tells of the power of citizen politics and give hoe that our cities can become centers of good values, strong economies and democracy." --James Scheibel, Mayor, City of St. Paul

In an era when government seems remote and difficult to approach, participatory democracy may seem a hopelessly romantic notion. Yet nothing is more crucial to the future of American democracy than to develop some way of spurring greater citizen participation."

In an era when government seems remote and difficult to approach, participatory democracy may seem a hopelessly romantic notion. Yet nothing is more crucial to the future of American democracy than to develop some way of spurring greater citizen participation. In this important book, Jeffrey Berry, Ken Portney, and Ken Thompson examine cities that have created systems of neighborhood government and incorporated citizens in public policymaking. Through careful research and analysis, the authors find that neighborhood based participation is the key to revitalizing American democracy. The Rebirth of Urban Democracy provides a thorough examination of five cities with strong citizen participation programs--Birmingham, Dayton, Portland, St. Paul, and San Antonio. In each city, the authors explore whether neighborhood associations encourage more people to participate; whether these associations are able to promote policy responsiveness on the art of local governments; and whether participation in these associations increases the capacity of people to take part in government. Finally, the authors outline the steps that can be taken to increase political participation in urban America. Berry, Portney, and Thomson show that citizens in participatory programs are able to get their issues on the public agenda and develop a stronger sense of community, greater trust in government officials, and more confidence in the political system. From a rigorous evaluation of surveys and interviews with thousands of citizens and policymakers, the authors also find that central governments in these cities are highly responsive to their neighborhoods and that less conflict exists among citizens and policymakers. The authors assert that these programs can provide a blueprint for major reform in cities across the country. They outline the components for successful participation programs and offer recommendations for those who want to get involved. They demonstrate that participation systems can influence citizens to become more knowledgeable, more productive, and more confident in government; and can provide more governments with a mechanism for being more responsive in setting priorities and formulating polices that closely approximate the true preferences of the people.