Does Local Government Matter? How Urban Policies Shape Civic Engagement

摘要

This is an ambitious and important book. Its main title is, alas, something of a misnomer. Does Local Government Matter? presents plenty of evidence that it does. Yet this is not the focus of analysis. Rather, as the subtitle suggests, the book examines the relationship between urban policies and civic engagement. Sharp presents some striking findings and suggests new and vital avenues of urban scholarship. Notwithstanding some shortcomings, discussed below, this book is recommended reading for scholars of urban politics and policy.