ABSTRACT
This chapter draws the findings in the case study of Santa Cruz and other empirical studies to show the limitations of the alternative theories. It suggests new emphases within growth coalition theory. The chapter explores the challenges activists face in transforming local progressive coalitions into a nationwide movement. It discusses a critique of Marxist urban theory, public choice theory, and regime theory. Such a discussion prepares the way for seeing if growth coalition theory provides any insights as to how progressive coalitions might go beyond what they accomplished in Santa Cruz and progressive cities. Marxist theory makes the national economy more determinative than it is when it comes to the local economy and government. Regime theory downplays the large degree to which distributive power shapes and directs collective power. The most glaring shortcoming of public choice theory is its main point: growth policies and economic development are supposedly noncontroversial because the city has a "unitary interest" in attracting capital investment.
