Steven G. Koven - Böcker

Collaboration can be a painful process, especially between authors of different disciplines. This book is an outgrowth of discussions between a Political Scientist and Economists at the School of Urban and Public Affairs, University of Louisville. The Economics perspective is found in Chapter 3 and was largely written by Frank Götzke. The Political Science oriented review, Chapters 2 and 6,aswellasall the case studies were largely provided by Steven Koven. Most of the book, but es- cially Chapters 4, 5, and 7 evolved as a consequence of conversations between the two authors. We believe the product of two disciplinary approaches has produced a collective outcome that is greater than the sum of individual parts would have been. In this book we have attempted to combine the analytical, empirical, historical, political, and economics approaches. Chapter 3 presents an analytical model, based on economics, Chapters 4 and 5 summarize empirical census data related to im- grants, and Chapter 6 reviews the legislative and political history of immigration.

This book is designed to show readers how ethics can constrain improper behavior. To demonstrate the relationship of ethics to good government, the author presents high profile case studies that were selected for their notoriety and their ability to connect the reader to fundamental ethical questions. Themes of public interest, natural law, and rule of law provide a framework for the case studies, which include torture (Abu Ghraib), impeachment (Clinton), competence (FEMA), electoral violation (DeLay), and historical corruption (machine politics). The chapters discuss concepts that help to define responsible behavior in terms of behavior in elections, honesty and competence, and international law.

This book is designed to show readers how ethics can constrain improper behavior. To demonstrate the relationship of ethics to good government, the author presents high profile case studies that were selected for their notoriety and their ability to connect the reader to fundamental ethical questions. Themes of public interest, natural law, and rule of law provide a framework for the case studies, which include torture (Abu Ghraib), impeachment (Clinton), competence (FEMA), electoral violation (DeLay), and historical corruption (machine politics). The chapters discuss concepts that help to define responsible behavior in terms of behavior in elections, honesty and competence, and international law.

Budgeting has long been considered a rational process using neutral tools of financial management, but this outlook fails to consider the outside influences on leaders' behavior. Steven G. Koven shows that political culture (moralistic, traditionalistic, individualistic) and ideological orientations (liberal vs. conservative) are at least as important as financial tools in shaping budgets. Koven examines budget formation at the national, state, and local levels to demonstrate the strong influence of attitudes about how public money should be generated and spent. In addition to statistical data, this book includes recent case studies: the 1997 budget agreement; Governor George W. Bush's use of the budget process to advance a conservative policy agenda in the state of Texas; and, Mayor Marion Barry's abuses of power in Washington, D.C. Koven demonstrates that administrative principles are at best an incomplete guide for public officials and that budgeters must learn to interpret signals from the political environment.

Growth, Decline, and Regeneration in Large Cities sheds light on why some cities prosper, others implode, and still others are able to reverse their downward trajectories. The book focuses on four major case studies of American metropolitan areas: Detroit, Boston, Minneapolis, and Austin. It explores how distinctive political and cultural forces in these cities affected economic growth or decline. Theoretical frameworks to explain economic development in urban areas are identified. The book addresses important subjects such as response to deindustrialization, disruption caused by gentrification, globalization, and the importance of human capital for economic development.

Growth, Decline, and Regeneration in Large Cities sheds light on why some cities prosper, others implode, and still others are able to reverse their downward trajectories. The book focuses on four major case studies of American metropolitan areas: Detroit, Boston, Minneapolis, and Austin. It explores how distinctive political and cultural forces in these cities affected economic growth or decline. Theoretical frameworks to explain economic development in urban areas are identified. The book addresses important subjects such as response to deindustrialization, disruption caused by gentrification, globalization, and the importance of human capital for economic development.

Collaboration can be a painful process, especially between authors of different disciplines. This book is an outgrowth of discussions between a Political Scientist and Economists at the School of Urban and Public Affairs, University of Louisville. The Economics perspective is found in Chapter 3 and was largely written by Frank Götzke. The Political Science oriented review, Chapters 2 and 6,aswellasall the case studies were largely provided by Steven Koven. Most of the book, but es- cially Chapters 4, 5, and 7 evolved as a consequence of conversations between the two authors. We believe the product of two disciplinary approaches has produced a collective outcome that is greater than the sum of individual parts would have been. In this book we have attempted to combine the analytical, empirical, historical, political, and economics approaches. Chapter 3 presents an analytical model, based on economics, Chapters 4 and 5 summarize empirical census data related to im- grants, and Chapter 6 reviews the legislative and political history of immigration.

In a down-to-earth review of the often-contentious subject of ethics, Public Sector Ethics: Theory and Applications presents personal accounts of individuals who faced moral dilemmas and how they resolved them. It moves the study of ethics away from a box checking exercise of what to do/not to do to a discussion that creates understanding of existential choices that people make. The book supplements discussion of the literature with practical examples of ethical dilemmas that public servants face.Through detailed case studies the book argues that the concept of ethics is not black and white, but is a fluid concept that can be described in shades of gray through various lenses. It identifies how factors such as religion and philosophy can shape individuals’ values and possible friction that can arise between individuals’ values and missions of their organizations. It also stresses the importance of an organization’s strength of mission in creating environments for ethical action.Taking a candid look at some of the unsavory stereotypes relating to government employee work ethic, the book explains the relationship between ethics and organizational structure. It emphasizes the role of mission fulfillment as a means to respond to the wishes of the populace, linking ethics to democratic accountability. It then gives you a framework for making ethical decisions that line up with your organization’s mission.

The U.S. is home to some of the largest corporations on the planet. American entrepreneurs spawned massive companies such as Facebook, Google, Apple, Amazon, and Oracle. Founders of these companies became very wealthy. Government entities and consumers benefited from the unmarketable products entrepreneurial visionaries developed. Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: The People and their Environment provides in-depth case studies of contemporary entrepreneurs that are building the future. The author argues that the famous billionaire entrepreneurs of today such as Gates, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Bloomberg, Page, Brin, Ellison and others possessed individual drive and talent. However, it is also argued that talent may not be enough. Talent withers or thrives in its social, cultural, political and legal environment. The environment of the U.S. and its entrepreneurial "ecosystem" has been conducive to innovators and entrepreneurs of the past such as Benjamin Franklin, Levi Strauss, Henry Ford, and Andrew Carnegie and Thomas Edison. This book explores how both talent and context influence entrepreneurial development.