{"product_id":"the-hidden-face-of-local-power-appointed-boards-and-the-limits-of-democracy-paperback","title":"The Hidden Face of Local Power: Appointed Boards and the Limits of Democracy - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMirya R. Holman\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Hidden Face of Local Power\u003c\/i\u003e explicates the purpose, role, and consequences of appointed boards in U.S. cities. Mirya Holman finds that cities create strong boards that generate policy, consolidate power, and defend the interests of businesses and wealthy and white residents. In contrast, weak boards pacify agitation from marginalized groups to give the appearance of inclusivity, democratic deliberation, and redistributional policymaking. Cities preserve this strong board\/weak board dichotomy through policymaking power, institutional design, and by controlling who serves on the boards. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eThe Hidden Face of Local Power\u003c\/i\u003e examines the role of boards in the development of urban political institutions, the allocation of power in local politics, and the persistence of inequality. Holman enhances our understanding of how political institutions have contributed to racism and their impact on how people use and live in urban spaces. In her shrewd analysis of the creation and use of boards as political institutions, Holman proves that neither weak nor strong boards achieve the goal they are advertised to achieve. In doing so, she provides a new view of the failures of local democracy along with ideas for improvement.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMirya R. Holman\u003c\/b\u003e is Associate Professor in the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston and author of \u003ci\u003eWomen in Politics in the American City\u003c\/i\u003e (Temple) and coauthor of \u003ci\u003eThe Power of the Badge: Sheriffs and Inequality in the United States\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 270\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.55 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 27, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45521944772710,"sku":"9781439926710","price":56.35,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/7255\/0758\/files\/w66lIM0cEj9781439926710.webp?v=1776509409","url":"https:\/\/infinitylightwa.com\/products\/the-hidden-face-of-local-power-appointed-boards-and-the-limits-of-democracy-paperback","provider":"Infinity Light","version":"1.0","type":"link"}