THE DECENTRALIZED POLITICS OF LOS ANGELES

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 353, S. 107-121

Abstract

Under the same formal gov'al arrangements, characterized chiefly by nonpartisanship & decentralization, Los Angeles has known both good & bad municipal gov. Undoubtedly, the decentralized pot together with the demographic & geographic diversity of the city have helped to keep Los Angeles from coming under the control of a pol'al boss or a convert ruling elite. With abundant room to grow & a benign natural environment, Los Angeles has not suffered from the more obvious problems of Ur density. One possible consequence of this is a low visibility for poi. Now, as the margin of safety against the problems of Ur density diminishes, some observers doubt that the diffuse & decentralized pot & gov are adequate to the problems facing the city. Proposals to change the charter in the direction of centralization & integration have not drawn impressive support. Informal integration of city pot through particular private groups, or even through a comback of pol'al parties, does not seem to be immediately forthcoming. Probably until acutely pressed by obvious civic needs, Los Angeles' citizens will not consider her decentralized pot too great a price to pay for an unbossed & scandal-free city. AA.