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The Limits of BoundariesWhy City-regions Cannot be Self-governing |
eBook Available
Why the growth and flux of city-regions impedes their prospects for increased political autonomy.
With city-regions becoming increasingly important as sources of innovation and wealth in our society, does it follow that their institutions of government will become increasingly autonomous, allowing them to become self-governing?
Andrew Sancton combines his own broad knowledge of global changes with an outline and comparison of the viewpoints of prominent social scientists to argue that city regions in western liberal democracies will not and cannot be self-governing. Self-government requires a territory delineated by official boundaries, but the multiple boundaries of city-regions, unlike the clear and undisputed boundaries of provinces and states, continue to move outward due to the constant growth and expansion of urban populations and services.
The Limits of Boundaries clearly shows that difficulties in reaching agreements on boundaries fatally limit the capacity of city-regions to be self-governing.
Andrew Sancton combines his own broad knowledge of global changes with an outline and comparison of the viewpoints of prominent social scientists to argue that city regions in western liberal democracies will not and cannot be self-governing. Self-government requires a territory delineated by official boundaries, but the multiple boundaries of city-regions, unlike the clear and undisputed boundaries of provinces and states, continue to move outward due to the constant growth and expansion of urban populations and services.
The Limits of Boundaries clearly shows that difficulties in reaching agreements on boundaries fatally limit the capacity of city-regions to be self-governing.
Details
192 Pages, 6 x 9
5 maps
ISBN 9780773534650
October 2008
Formats: Paperback, eBook
"An original, substantive, and significant contribution ... the politics and public finance of local governments are under-researched and this timely book will find a diverse and large audience." Gilbert Stelter, University of Guelph
"This book is concise, readable, well referenced and researched. It can also serve to spark debate and discussion in Canadian university courses on federalism and Canadian urban politics. Further, where the book ends, other scholars should begin by carefully reflecting on the practical and theoretical problem that remains: what is the place of cities and city-regions in the future federation and how will their potential be realized?" Canadian Journal of Political Science
"This is undoubtedly an important and useful book, written in an exemplary and accessible style." Canadian Public Policy
"Too many central governments ... have failed to address the urgent problems of the sustainability of cities, have not yet responded to the imperatives of climate change in relation to cities, or have simply failed in their efforts to assist metropolitan regions to reconfigure as they get much larger. In investigating or making policy for these issues, The Limits of Boundaries offers us wise historical perspectives on city government and can help us avoid false panaceas - and unproductive arguments about boundaries." Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance
"In short, this is a concise, entertaining and valuable contribution to a pressing set of issues." Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance
"This book is concise, readable, well referenced and researched. It can also serve to spark debate and discussion in Canadian university courses on federalism and Canadian urban politics. Further, where the book ends, other scholars should begin by carefully reflecting on the practical and theoretical problem that remains: what is the place of cities and city-regions in the future federation and how will their potential be realized?" Canadian Journal of Political Science
"This is undoubtedly an important and useful book, written in an exemplary and accessible style." Canadian Public Policy
"Too many central governments ... have failed to address the urgent problems of the sustainability of cities, have not yet responded to the imperatives of climate change in relation to cities, or have simply failed in their efforts to assist metropolitan regions to reconfigure as they get much larger. In investigating or making policy for these issues, The Limits of Boundaries offers us wise historical perspectives on city government and can help us avoid false panaceas - and unproductive arguments about boundaries." Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance
"In short, this is a concise, entertaining and valuable contribution to a pressing set of issues." Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance
Andrew Sancton is professor of political science and director of the Local Government Program at the University of Western Ontario.
List of Maps ix
Preface and Acknowledgments xi
Introduction 3
1 Focusing on Cities 9
2 Boundaries for Central Governments 33
3 Boundaries for Municipal Corporations 56
4 City-States in Theory and Practice 78
5 Cities and Central Governments 102
6 Self-Government for Toronto? 115
Conclusion 131
Notes 139
Bibliography 151
Map References 161
Index 163
Preface and Acknowledgments xi
Introduction 3
1 Focusing on Cities 9
2 Boundaries for Central Governments 33
3 Boundaries for Municipal Corporations 56
4 City-States in Theory and Practice 78
5 Cities and Central Governments 102
6 Self-Government for Toronto? 115
Conclusion 131
Notes 139
Bibliography 151
Map References 161
Index 163
Finalist
Donner Prize
Donner Canadian Foundation (2009)
Donner Prize
Donner Canadian Foundation (2009)
