The New Urban Paradigm: Critical Perspectives on the City / Edition 1

by Joe R. Feagin

Overview

As economic, political, and cultural centers, cities are at the heart of most contemporary societies, as they have been for millennia. In spite of the Cassandras who periodically lament their demise or imminent death, cities have a way of coming back from their low points—of surviving economic crises, outmigration, and vexing social dilemmas. Today, many large US cities once thought to be dying have rebounded not only because of economic restructuring or high-tech industries but also because of the vigor of new migrants coming into the urban system. Significantly, the ongoing boom-bust cycles in the cities are linked ultimately to major decisions made by those at the helm of the now globalized system of contemporary capitalism. In this book, Joe R. Feagin assesses urban questions from the 'new urban sociology' perspective that has developed since the 1980s. One of the leading figures in this tradition of thought, Feagin places class and racial domination at the heart of the analysis of city life, change, and development. His approach takes into account political-economic histories and the rise and fall of their social institutions; the character and impact of their underlying systems of capitalism, racism, and patriarchy; and how these dynamics play out in the everyday lives of contemporary urbanites. Framing urban questions this way not only puts the actions of elites at the forefront of analysis, but also raises questions about their ill-gotten privileges. It features the historical conditions and institutions that protect class and racial privileges—making it clear why people in cities rebel and why we as social scientists must take a lesson from these urban rebellions, focusing future research on large-scale urban transformation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847684991
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/04/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.94(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

Joe R. Feagin is professor of sociology at the University of Florida.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The New Urban Paradigm: Urban Social Science for the Twenty-First Century Part 2 I. Cities in Global Perspective Chapter 3 Cities and the New International Division of Labor: An Overview Chapter 4 The Global Context of Metropolitan Growth: Houston and the Oil Industry Chapter 5 Extractive Regions in Developed Countries: A Comparative Analysis of the Oil Capitals/ Houston and Aberdeen Part 6 II. Powerful Economic Actors in City Development Chapter 7 Cities in Conflict Chapter 8 Urban Real Estate Speculation: Implications for Social Science and Urban Planning Chapter 9 Irrationality in Real Estate Investment: The Case of Houston Part 10 III. The Political Dimension of City Development Chapter 11 The Corporate Center Strategy: The State in Central Cities Chapter 12 Arenas of Conflict: Zoning and Land-Use Reform in Critical Political-Economic Perspective Chapter 13 Are Planners Collective Capitalists? The Cases of Aberdeen and Houston Part 14 IV. Race, Racism, and City Development Chapter 15 Slavery Unwilling to Die: The Background of Black Oppression in the 1980s Chapter 16 The Continuing Significance of Race: Antiblack Discrimination in Public Places Chapter 17 The Continuing Significance of Racism: Discrimination Against Black Students in White Colleges Chapter 18 Changing Black Americans to Fit a Racist System? Part 19 V. Review and Reprise Chapter 20 Urban Sociology: Feagin Style Chapter 21 The New Urban Paradigm: Feagin's Contributions

Editorial Reviews

An important resource to everyone who wants to understand urban development.

Choice Reviews

If this book introduces and reinforces certain important points about the political economy of urban development to mainstream sociology, then this is an important function to serve. For planners, this book provides a convenient compilation of the writings of Joe Feagin, something that makes purchasing the book worthwhile. His most poignant statement comes early in the book when he highlights the connection between some people's affluence and other's poverty. A book that helps make this point, is a book worth having in one's collection.

Journal of the American Planning Association

Ever impassioned, always critical, never satisfied with a reality that seems to fall short of the ideals of justice and equality, Feagin's is a voice for the city, and for America, that should and must be heard.

Anthony M. Orum

Feagin has a good eye for identifying a theoretical problem. His continued focus on Black America contributes to the 'new urban paradigm' by posing a challenge that should not be ignored.

Contemporary Sociology

Feagin has done much to shake-up the mainstream and establishment and this collection of his work provides many interesting insights and deserves to be widely read.

Capital & Class

An important resource to everyone who wants to understand urban development.

CHOICE

An important resource to everyone who wants to understand urban development.

Choice

Feagin has done much to shake-up the mainstream and establishment and this collection of his work provides many interesting insights and deserves to be widely read.

Capital and Class

If this book introduces and reinforces certain important points about the political economy of urban development to mainstream sociology, then this is an important function to serve. For planners, this book provides a convenient compilation of the writings of Joe Feagin, something that makes purchasing the book worthwhile. His most poignant statement comes early in the book when he highlights the connection between some people's affluence and other's poverty. A book that helps make this point, is a book worth having in one's collection.

Journal Of The American Planning Association