Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors: | Rhodes, Jesse H. (Jesse Hessler), 1980- author.
La Raja, Raymond J., 1965- author.
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ISBN: | 9781108485944 1108485944 9781108725378 1108725376 9781108662550 9781316999936 (PDF ebook)
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Notes: | Includes bibliographical references and index.
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Summary: | "Local governments play a central role in American democracy, providing essential services such as policing, water, and sanitation. Moreover, Americans express great confidence in their municipal governments. But is this confidence warranted? Using big data and a representative sample of American communities, this book provides the first systematic examination of racial and class inequalities in local politics. We find that nonwhites and less-affluent residents are consistent losers in local democracy. Residents of color and those with lower incomes receive less representation from local elected officials than do whites and the affluent. Additionally, they are much less likely than privileged community members to have their preferences reflected in local government policy. Contrary to the popular assumption that governments that are "closest" govern best, we find that inequalities in representation are most severe in suburbs and small towns. Typical reforms do not seem to improve the situation, and we recommend new approaches"--
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Other form: | Online version: Schaffner, Brian F, 1975- Hometown inequality 1. New York : Cambridge University Press, 2020. 9781108662550
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