Peter K. Spink – författare

Despite rapid metropolitanization throughout the Americas and widespread interest in "megacities," few studies have examined the new governance structures needed to address issues of citizen representation and participation and the public service challenges of population expansion and increasing urban inequalities. To fill that void, Peter K. Spink, Peter M. Ward, Robert H. Wilson, and the other contributors to this volume provide original research and analysis of the principal metropolitan areas in six federalist countries of the Americas—Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Venezuela. They find that a common feature of metropolitan expansion is the lack of a unified governmental structure. Using a comparative research framework, they examine the forms, functions, legitimacy, and performance of emerging governmental structures. Their cross-national study shows that existing institutional structures and political systems impede collaboration among governments in metropolitan areas. Given both the relatively few successful models at the local level and the disinterest on the part of federal governments, regional governments—states and provinces—seem to provide the most pragmatic bases for constructing metropolitan governments that are capable of efficiently delivering services. Because there is no direct path to achieve such new structures, the authors urge reform at the state and local levels to address the need to work out the politics and management structures that will function best within their own politics.

Public policy is an expression that has come to dominate the way people talk about doing government and public administration and is seen as a central component of the modern democratic order. Adopting an innovative public action languages approach, Beyond Public Policy shows how policy is only one of many powerful social languages (budgeting, planning, rights, directives and protests, amongst others) used to make things happen in the ever-changing arena of public affairs; where they may cooperate, compete, or just go their own way. Opening up discussions on the varied ways that people talk about and act in relation to the public good, this is a fascinating insight into the multiplicity of social languages used to negotiate possibilities in public affairs. Social languages are examined as being performative parts of everyday life, and examples from different places and times are used to illustrate the importance of these language forms. Political science, public administration, social psychology and sociology scholars will find this book a vital reference with its advanced approach to public affairs. Professionals in NGOs, public service and government, as well as activists will also greatly benefit from the practical advice and real-life case studies the book offers.

Public policy is an expression that has come to dominate the way people talk about doing government and public administration and is seen as a central component of the modern democratic order. Adopting an innovative public action languages approach, Beyond Public Policy shows how policy is only one of many powerful social languages (budgeting, planning, rights, directives and protests, amongst others) used to make things happen in the ever-changing arena of public affairs; where they may cooperate, compete, or just go their own way.

Opening up discussions on the varied ways that people talk about and act in relation to the public good, this is a fascinating insight into the multiplicity of social languages used to negotiate possibilities in public affairs. Social languages are examined as being performative parts of everyday life, and examples from different places and times are used to illustrate the importance of these language forms.

Political science, public administration, social psychology and sociology scholars will find this book a vital reference with its advanced approach to public affairs. Professionals in NGOs, public service and government, as well as activists will also greatly benefit from the practical advice and real-life case studies the book offers.