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

This new book 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 leading 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. The Importance Of Cultural Contacts In The East Mediterranean Has Long Been Recognized And Is The Focus Of Ongoing International Research. Fieldwork In The Aegean, Egypt, Cyprus, And The Levant Continues To Add To Our Understanding Of The Nature Of This Contact And Its Social And Economic Significance, Particularly To The Cultures Of The Aegean. Despite Sophisticated Discussion Of The Archaeological Evidence, In Particular On The Part Of Aegean And Mediterranean Archaeologists, There Has Been Little Systematic Attempt To Incorporate Anthropological Perspectives On Materiality And Exchange Into Archaeological Narratives Of This Material. This Book Addresses That Gap And Integrates Anthropological Discourse On Contact, Examining Exchange Systems, The Gift, Notions Of Geographical Distance And Power, Colonization, And Hybridization. Furthermore, It Develops A Social Narrative Of Culture Contact In The Mediterranean Context, Illustrating The Reasons Communities Chose To Engage In International Exchange, And How This Impacted The Construction Of Identities Throughout The Region. While Traditional Archaeologies In The East Mediterranean Have Tended To Be Reductive In Their Approach To Material Culture And How It Was Produced, Used, And Exchanged, This Book Reviews Current Research On Material Culture, Focusing On Issues Such As The Biography Of Objects, Inalienable Possessions, And Hybridization - Exploring How These Issues Can Further Illuminate The Material World Of The Communities Of The Bronze Age Mediterranean.--publisher's Website. Introduction: Connected Worlds -- Colonies In The Bronze Age Mediterranean -- Entangled Worlds: Hybridization And An International Style -- Greeting Gifts And Competitive Gift Exchange -- Commodities, Luxuries And The Creation Of Desire -- Technologies Of Enchantment -- Materiality And The Biography Of Objects -- Conclusions. Louise Steel. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Analysis Draws On A Range Of Disciplines Including Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Geography, Urban Planning And Public Management. By Highlighting The Interplay Between International Forces Driving Homogenization And Local Initiatives Projecting The Value Of Geographical Place And Local Identity, This International Volume Aims To Stimulate Fresh Thinking About City Leadership, Urban Planning And Community Development.--jacket. 1. Globalism And Local Democracy / Robin Hambleton, Hank V. Savitch And Murray Stewart -- 2. The Globalisation Process / Hank V. Savitch -- 3. Globalism And Cities: A North American Perspective / Susan E. Clarke -- 4. Urban Homogenisation And Diversification In West Europe / Francois Ascher -- 5. Globalisation And Transformations In Political Cultures / Terry Nichols Clark -- 6. Rapid Transformations In Post-socialist Cities: Towards An Uncertain Future / Margaret F. Reid -- 7. Managing Urban Ethnic Conflict / Scott A. Bollens -- 8. Urban Policies In The Netherlands: From 'social Renewal' To 'big Cities Policy' / Robert Kloosterman And Dennis Broeders -- 9. The New City Management / Robin Hambleton. Edited By Robin Hambleton, Hank V. Savitch And Murray Stewart. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-244) And Index. Are cities and citizens helpless victims in a global flow of events? The short answer is 'no'. Written by leading urban scholars from Europe and North America, this book aims not only to enhance understanding of the globalization process, but also to argue that the political space for local leadership and action is greater than many commentators have assumed. Three related questions are addressed through the three-part structure: What is the nature of the globalization process? What resulting challenges now confront cities and localities? How can local leaders respond to this changing environment in ways which strengthen local democracy? The analysis draws on a range of disciplines including political science, economics, sociology, geography, urban planning and public management. By highlighting the interplay between international forces driving homogenization and local initiatives projecting the value of geographical place and local identity, this international volume aims to stimulate fresh thinking about city leadership, urban planning and community development "[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 Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Globalism and Local Democracy....Pages 1-16 Front Matter....Pages 17-17 The Globalisation Process....Pages 19-29 Globalism and Cities: a North American Perspective....Pages 30-51 Urban Homogenisation and Diversification in West Europe....Pages 52-66 Globalisation and Transformations in Political Cultures....Pages 67-91 Front Matter....Pages 93-93 Rapid Transformations in Post-Socialist Cities: towards an Uncertain Future....Pages 95-107 Managing Urban Ethnic Conflict....Pages 108-124 Urban Policies in the Netherlands: from ‘Social Renewal’ to ‘Big Cities Policy’....Pages 125-143 Front Matter....Pages 145-145 The New City Management....Pages 147-168 A Network Paradigm for Urban Governance?....Pages 169-184 Metropolitan Governance and Institutional Dynamics....Pages 185-200 Local Democracy, Cross-Border Collaboration and the Internationalisation of Local Government....Pages 201-218 Back Matter....Pages 219-258

Now in paperback, this book 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 leading 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.

"The analysis draws on a range of disciplines including political science, economics, sociology, geography, urban planning and public management. By highlighting the interplay between international forces driving homogenization and local initiatives projecting the value of geographical place and local identity, this international volume aims to stimulate fresh thinking about city leadership, urban planning and community development."--BOOK JACKET.