1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910814729603321

Autore

Widestrom Amy

Titolo

Displacing democracy : economic segregation in America / / Amy Widestrom

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : , : University of Pennsylvania Press, , 2015

©2015

ISBN

0-8122-9035-6

Edizione

[1st ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (264 p.)

Collana

American Governance: Politics, Policy, and Public Law

Disciplina

323/.04208620973

Soggetti

Political participation - Economic aspects - United States

Democracy - United States - Citizen participation

Segregation - Economic aspects - United States

Neighborhoods - Political aspects - United States

City planning - Political aspects - United States

Housing policy - United States

Voting - United States

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Includes index.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- CONTENTS -- Introduction. A Theory of Economic Segregation and Civic Engagement -- Chapter 1. Understanding Civic Engagement in Context: Methodology and the Logic of Case Study Selection -- Chapter 2. Public Policy and Civic Environments in Urban America -- Chapter 3. Economic Segregation and the Mobilizing Capacity of Voluntary Associations -- Chapter 4. Economic Segregation, Political Parties, and Political Mobilization -- Conclusion. The Dynamics and Implications of Economic Segregation, Civic Engagement, and Public Policy -- Appendix A. Vote- Counting Decisions in Atlanta, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Rochester -- Appendix B. Interview Protocol and Schedule for Neighborhood Associations, Parent- Teacher Associations, and Churches -- Appendix C. Interview Protocol and Schedule for Elected Officials and Public Officials -- Notes -- Index -- Acknowledgments

Sommario/riassunto

In recent decades, economically disadvantaged Americans have become more residentially segregated from other communities: they are



increasingly likely to live in high-poverty neighborhoods that are spatially isolated with few civic resources. Low-income citizens are also less likely to be politically engaged, a trend that is most glaring in terms of voter turnout. Examining neighborhoods in Atlanta, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Rochester, Amy Widestrom challenges the assumption that the "class gap" in political participation is largely the result of individual choices and dispositions. Displacing Democracy demonstrates that neighborhoods segregated along economic lines create conditions that encourage high levels of political activity, including political and civic mobilization and voting, among wealthier citizens while discouraging and impeding the poor from similar forms of civic engagement. Drawing on quantitative research, case studies, and interviews, Widestrom shows that neighborhood-level resources and characteristics affect political engagement in distinct ways that are not sufficiently appreciated in the current understanding of American politics and political behavior. In addition to the roles played by individual traits and assets, increasing economic segregation in the United States denies low-income citizens the civic and social resources vital for political mobilization and participation. People living in poverty lack the time, money, and skills for active civic engagement, and this is compounded by the fact that residential segregation creates a barren civic environment incapable of supporting a vibrant civic community. Over time, this creates a balance of political power that is dramatically skewed not only toward individuals with greater incomes but toward entire neighborhoods with more economic resources.