ABSTRACT
The imperative of governance arises from the social, racial, and ethnic differences that have always characterized American society. The complex social, ethnic, and racial divisions that exist within America's cities have always made governance a difficult challenge. The political dynamics of America's cities and urban regions have remained remarkably similar over time. The social and political effects of large-scale population movements are often on display in big global cities such as Miami, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, and in many smaller places as well. For this reason, in the global era, as in the past, city politics often pivots around issues of racial and ethnic identity and feelings of community solidarity at least as much as around issues of economic development. The politics of growth becomes obvious when conflicts break out over public expenditures for such things as airport construction, convention centers, and sports stadiums.
