Governance in the Americas, a multidisciplinary volume, offers important new insights about decentralization, federalism, and democratic change in the three largest federal nations in the Americas: Brazil, Mexico, and the United States. Originating in a major research project conducted by teams in each of the three countries, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of how representative and participatory democracy is being constructed at state and local levels in the recently emerged democracies of Brazil and Mexico, and is being recast and sustained in the United States. The contributors evaluate the performance of subnational governments, as these societies become more genuinely decentralized, and as new actors and managerial routines create and implement public policy. The authors challenge the criticism of “exceptionalism” in the United States, seeking instead to understand the points of convergence and divergence among the three countries as each seeks to improve the effectiveness and public accountability of its policy-making processes.“Throughout the world, subnational levels of government are actively absorbing new responsibilities and resources; they are simultaneously under pressure to be more responsive and democratic. But where have these changes come from? How are they affecting the governance of political systems? Will citizens be better off as subnational governments assume a greater role in making decisions and managing public policies and services? This important volume, exploring decentralization and democratization at the subnational level in Mexico, Brazil, and the United States, provides deeply informative responses to these questions. It is a well-crafted ‘must’ for students of decentralization and governance.” —Merilee S. Grindle, Director, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University “This book is ambitious in scope, synthesizing political patterns in three of the hemisphere’s largest countries and most complex economies, discussing a multitude of subnational actors and institutions in each of these countries, and covering broad stretches of time in each country.” —Kent Eaton, University of California, Santa Cruz “The 21st century has brought a new interest in studying the relationship between structures of government and democracy. This book, focusing on three countries in the Americas, is a thorough and important example of the substantive consequences of recent decisions related to centralization and decentralization. It should be on the bookshelves of students of federalism and intergovernmental relations around the globe.” —Beryl A. Radin, American University

Governance in the Americas: Decentralization, Democracy, and Subnational Government in Brazil, Mexico, and the USA (Kellogg Institute Series on Democracy and Development)

History

Ward, Peter M.

WILSON, Robert H.

Spink, Peter K.

Rodríguez, Victoria E.

Americas

University of Notre Dame Press

Today in Texas, over 1500 colonias in the counties along the Mexican border are home to some 400,000 people. Often lacking basic services, such as electricity, water and sewerage, fire protection, policing, schools, and health care, these "irregular" subdivisions offer the only low-cost housing available to the mostly Hispanic working poor.This book presents the results of a major study of colonias in three transborder metropolitan areas and uncovers the reasons why colonias are spreading so rapidly. Peter Ward compares Texas colonias with their Mexican counterparts, many of which have developed into fully integrated working-class urban communities. He describes how Mexican governments have worked with colonia residents to make physical improvements and upgrade services-a model that Texas policymakers can learn from, Ward asserts. Finally, he concludes with a hard-hitting checklist of public policy initiatives that need to be considered as colonia housing policy enters its second decade in Texas.

Colonias and Public Policy in Texas and Mexico: Urbanization by Stealth

Business & Money

Economics

University of Texas Press

Today in Texas, over 1500 colonias in the counties along the Mexican border are home to some 400,000 people. Often lacking basic services, such as electricity, water and sewerage, fire protection, policing, schools, and health care, these "irregular" subdivisions offer the only low-cost housing available to the mostly Hispanic working poor.
This book presents the results of a major study of colonias in three transborder metropolitan areas and uncovers the reasons why colonias are spreading so rapidly. Peter Ward compares Texas colonias with their Mexican counterparts, many of which have developed into fully integrated working-class urban communities. He describes how Mexican governments have worked with colonia residents to make physical improvements and upgrade services-a model that Texas policymakers can learn from, Ward asserts. Finally, he concludes with a hard-hitting checklist of public policy initiatives that need to be considered as colonia housing policy enters its second decade in Texas.

Mexico City "...the most documented analysis of contemporary urban Mexico. Peter Ward has done it again!" Susan Eckstein, President of the Latin American Studies Association Mexico City is one of the largest and most dynamic 'megacities' of the world. The last four decades of dramatic growth have seen great economic, demographic, political and social change. Does such profound change threaten the fabric of urban life in Mexico? Peter Ward argues that Mexico City is not falling apart, not in danger of imminent implosion. Rather, its citizens and local authorities are responding positively to the major problems that confront them: economic and commercial restructuring; privatisation and deregulation; excessive centralisation; low-paid job opportunities; poor housing and infrastructure; inadequate distribution of health care facilities; poor and corrupt policing; ecological fragility threatened by pollution and earthquakes. More democratic city management systems and structures are emerging, whilst grassroots movements are making their voices heard and affecting change. This second edition of Mexico City remains the best informed guide to this most fascinating of the world's cities.

Mexico City (World Cities Series)

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Academy Press

Originally published in 1985, this book is concerned with the housing and service needs of the poor in Latin America and how they are articulated and satisfied. It examines the aims and implementation of government policies towards low-income housing dwellers and tries to relate those policies to the wider interests of the state. It discusses how the poor perceive the constraints on barrio servicing and improvement, their involvement in community organisations and the role the community and its leaders play in influencing state action. Since housing and servicing issues directly impinge on the interests of politicians, bureaucrats, landowners and real-estate developers, as well as on those of the poor, patterns of provision mirror closely the nature of the relationships between the poor and the wider urban society. The main theme of this book is thus the allocation of resources within urban society and the operation of political and administrative power at city level. The book will interest not only those concerned with housing and planning but also those who wish to understand social and economic policies towards the poor in most kinds of Third World city.

Housing, the State and the Poor: Policy and Practice in Three Latin American Cities (Cambridge Latin American Studies, Series Number 50)

Gilbert, Alan

Cambridge University Press

Originally published in 1985, this book is concerned with the housing and service needs of the poor in Latin America and how they are articulated and satisfied. It examines the aims and implementation of government policies towards low-income housing dwellers and tries to relate those policies to the wider interests of the state. It discusses how the poor perceive the constraints on barrio servicing and improvement, their involvement in community organisations and the role the community and its leaders play in influencing state action. Since housing and servicing issues directly impinge on the interests of politicians, bureaucrats, landowners and real-estate developers, as well as on those of the poor, patterns of provision mirror closely the nature of the relationships between the poor and the wider urban society. The main theme of this book is thus the allocation of resources within urban society and the operation of political and administrative power at city level. The book will interest not only those concerned with housing and planning but also those who wish to understand social and economic policies towards the poor in most kinds of Third World city.

The "World cities" series offers up-to-date and wide-ranging profiles of the world's main urban centres. Each book blends urban history, sociology, ecology, economics, politics, transport, architecture and built environment into a portrayal of the contemporary urban scene. Mexico City is the largest and fastest growing city in Latin America. Despite its long history dating back to Aztec times, its essential character is a product of recent development and it exemplifies all the problems of Third World cities, albeit on a huge scale, exacerbated by its national and international role and the special problems caused by the earthquake of 1985. Peter Ward presents an analysis of Mexico City's rise, social and economic structure, population, urban fabric, transport and governance and concludes with a look at the future.

Mexico City: The Production and Reproduction of an Urban Environment (World Cities Series)

G.K. Hall

The political system in Mexico is changing to a more open and democratic one. The transformation is evident in the genuine multiparty competition in elections, which since the mid-1980s has resulted in opposition parties winning office at the municipal and state levels. Once in power, these opposition parties have sought to deliver on their campaign promises while also dealing with the old regime, especially in seeking to establish effective relations with the ruling PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional). 
The fourteen original essays in this book, by scholars working in both Mexico and the United States, are ground-breaking case studies of opposition governments of both the right and the left. Addressed are the transition from opposition party to party in government, the bases of support for the opposition, and the day-to-day public administration and governance under the opposition. The experiences of these governments suggest that in spite of limited electoral reforms in Mexico, modernization of the political system is under way. This new pluralism is most evident in the larger municipalities.

Opposition Government in Mexico

Rodriguez, Victoria Elizabeth

Politics & Government

Univ of New Mexico Pr

The close ties between Texas and Mexico make imperative an informed analysis of Mexico's democratization and governance changes at federal, state, and city levels. In 1999, after seventy years of virtual one-party rule, almost three fifths of the Mexican population are governed by opposition (non-PRI) parties, including eight of the 31 states and the Federal District. 
This book is the first systematic analysis of state governance in Mexico. Building upon their earlier work on local governments, the authors analyze President Zedillo's efforts since 1995 to reduce excessive centralization and presidentialism through a "New Federalism" initiative. Undertaking a detailed comparative analysis of six states across several regions (Baja California, Chihuahua, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Puebla and Oaxaca), this book provides a baseline study of several policy arenas: fiscal policy and revenue sharing; modernization of government; decentralization of public education; and the emergence of co-governance through a system of checks-and-balances among the governor, local legislature, and judiciary. 
The authors conclude that while important and genuine changes are afoot, the federal government continues to exercise control over revenue sharing. In combination with its ability to earmark projects, this effectively restricts the autonomy of state government. Nor do the authors expect this scenario to change, even though a former state governor will become President in 2000. Moreover, it appears likely that each of the three principal parties will seek to ensure that the federal government remains the dominant actor in Mexico's New Federalist system - in spite of "bringing the states back in."

New Federalism and State Government in Mexico: "Bringing the States Back In" (U.S.-Mexican Policy Reports)

Rodriguez, Victoria

Mendoza, Enrique Cabrero

Cabrero Mendoza, Enrique

Univ Texas at Austin Lyndon B

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ward, Peter M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Ward, Peter M.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ward, Peter M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Governance in the Americas: Decentralization, Democracy, and Subnational Government in Brazil, Mexico, and the USA (Kellogg Institute Series on Democracy and Development)

Colonias and Public Policy in Texas and Mexico: Urbanization by Stealth

Colonias and Public Policy in Texas and Mexico: Urbanization by Stealth

Colonias and Public Policy in Texas and Mexico: Urbanization by Stealth

Mexico City (World Cities Series)

Housing, the State and the Poor: Policy and Practice in Three Latin American Cities (Cambridge Latin American Studies, Series Number 50)

Housing, the State and the Poor: Policy and Practice in Three Latin American Cities (Cambridge Latin American Studies, Series Number 50)

Mexico City: The Production and Reproduction of an Urban Environment (World Cities Series)

Opposition Government in Mexico

New Federalism and State Government in Mexico: "Bringing the States Back In" (U.S.-Mexican Policy Reports)