The Politics of Downtown Development: Dynamic Political Cultures in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. - Hardcover

by Stephen J. McGovern (Author)

" Through an insightful comparison of effective protest in San Francisco and ineffective protest in Washington, D.C., Stephen McGovern examines how citizens-even those lacking financial resources-have sought to control their own urban environments. McGovern interviews nearly one hundred business activists, government officials, and business leaders, exploring the influence of political culture and individual citizens' perceptions of a particular development issue. McGovern offers a compelling ex

Back Jacket

Through an insightful comparison of effective protest in San Francisco and ineffective protest in Washington, D.C., Stephen McGovern examines how citizens - even those lacking financial resources - have sought to control their own urban environments. His analysis reveals that grassroots activists seeking broad changes in land-use policy are more likely to prevail if they can transform the local political culture through their own deliberate efforts.

Author Biography

Stephen J. McGovern is an assistant professor of political science at Salem State College.