Bibliograph

Why cities lose, the deep roots of the urban-rural political divide, Jonathan Rodden

Type

Label

Why cities lose, the deep roots of the urban-rural political divide, Jonathan Rodden

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Why cities lose

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1056781471

Responsibility statement

Jonathan Rodden

Sub title

the deep roots of the urban-rural political divide

Summary

"A ... political scientist traces the origins of urban-rural political conflict and shows how geography shapes elections in America and beyond. Why is it so much easier for the Democratic Party to win the national popular vote than to build and maintain a majority in Congress? Why can Democrats sweep statewide offices in places like Pennsylvania and Michigan yet fail to take control of the same states' legislatures? Many place exclusive blame on partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression. But as political scientist Jonathan A. Rodden demonstrates in Why Cities Lose, the left's electoral challenges have deeper roots in economic and political geography. In the late nineteenth century, support for the left began to cluster in cities among the industrial working class. Today, left-wing parties have become coalitions of diverse urban interest groups, from racial minorities to the creative class. These parties win big in urban districts but struggle to capture the suburban and rural seats necessary for legislative majorities. A bold new interpretation of today's urban-rural political conflict, Why Cities Lose also points to electoral reforms that could address the left's under-representation while reducing urban-rural polarization."--, Provided by publisherWhy is it so much easier for the Democratic Party to win the national popular vote than to build and maintain a majority in Congress? Many place exclusive blame on partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression. Rodden shows that the left's electoral challenges have deeper roots in economic and political geography. Left-wing parties have become coalitions of diverse urban interest groups, from racial minorities to the creative class. Rodden points to electoral reforms that could address the left's under-representation while reducing urban-rural polarization. -- adapted from jacket

Table Of Contents

Geography and the dilemma of the left -- The long shadow of the industrial revolution -- From workers' parties to urban parties -- Urban form and voting -- What is wrong with the Pennsylvania Democrats? -- Political geography and the representation of Democrats -- Political geography and the battle for the soul of the left -- Proportional representation and the road not taken -- The end of the dilemma?

Classification