num_pages: 304
description: Examines the new role of cities in a global economy.Are cities obsolete relics of an earlier era? In this pathbreaking book, Susan E. Clarke and Gary L. Gaile contend that contrary to this conventional wisdom, cities are growing in importance. Far from irrelevant, local governments are vital political arenas for the new work of cities--empowering their citizens to adapt and serve as catalysts for the global economy."The Work of Cities is a superb book, a splendid mix of strong analysis and apt empirical work applied to important issues. Clarke and Gaile make sense-conceptual and practical-of the too-often vague talk of globalization, restructuring, competitiveness, etc. They put urban economies and governance at center stage, and they discern a ‘fourth wave’ of local economic initiatives characterized by local/global links and human capital investment. Their book demonstrates the significance of institutional frameworks for policy choice, power, and effectiveness. Their advocacy of a ‘citizenship focus’ is timely and right on target. The Work of Cities is an exciting piece of scholarship; it deserves everybody’s attention."— William R. Barnes, Director, Center for Research and Program Development, National League of Cities
language: English
title: The Work of Cities
titlecomplete: The Work of Cities
ratings_count: 1
publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press