{"product_id":"mobilization-politics-stephen-j-mcgovern-9781512826784","title":"Mobilization Politics: Governing Philadelphia in the Early Twenty-First Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow grassroots activism transforms contemporary urban politics in Philadelphia and beyond\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eImmigration, gentrification, and the rise of an innovation-based economy are altering American cities. In \u003ci\u003eMobilization Politics\u003c\/i\u003e, Stephen J. McGovern offers a new approach to analyzing contemporary urban politics in light of these broad, societal changes. Redirecting the focus from the top-down orientation of regime theory toward a more bottom-up perspective, he contends that a striking upsurge in grassroots activism around issues such as policing and criminal justice reform, precarious labor, affordable housing, community development, and workforce diversity is transforming urban politics and policymaking. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThrough a detailed analysis of political activity in Philadelphia over the past decade, McGovern elucidates the mechanisms and impacts of grassroots mobilization. Philadelphia is typical of many large American cities with a relatively prosperous downtown core surrounded by neighborhoods that continue to struggle, sometimes amidst grinding poverty and long-standing racial oppression. And yet, Philadelphia, as a site of substantial grassroots activism since the early 2010s, has made significant strides in combatting economic and racial inequality in several important policy realms. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eMobilization Politics\u003c\/i\u003e expands the scope of the field of urban politics beyond the quiet, behind-the-scenes bargaining of regime partners and considers other key arenas of political contestation--such as electoral politics; policymaking by the mayor, administrative agencies, and the city council; and a wide range of activist groups operating at the grassroots. The book shows how bottom-up mobilization has been especially effective when activists engaging in street protests and demonstrations have joined with more established community-based organizations and issue-advocacy groups skilled in lobbying, litigation, and electioneering. By highlighting how this combination of insider\/outsider activism has been a potent force for political change in contemporary Philadelphia, \u003ci\u003eMobilization Politics\u003c\/i\u003e presents a more comprehensive, dynamic, and revealing way to look at power and politics in American cities today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Stephen J. McGovern\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1512826782\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781512826784\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e University of Pennsylvania Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/07\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 456\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.89lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.21h x 6.14w x 1.13d","brand":"Stephen J. McGovern","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":46420466663679,"sku":"9781512826784","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_e9141064-4ccf-4b0d-bf3e-f8bf043ee90e.jpg?v=1734634715","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/mobilization-politics-stephen-j-mcgovern-9781512826784","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}