Kirjahaku

Anglo-American cities face economic decline, social polarisation and racial conflict. Their fate is increasingly decided by the global actions of transnational corporations and market forces. Community groups find it difficult to gain access to the political system. Ethnic minorities strive for empowerment while indebted city governments battle to maintain basic services. Such is the urban crisis of the 1990s. Fractured Cities describes the political economy of urban change and explores the future of the city.

This book, first published in 1986, examines the race and immigration issues by considering the nature of the black 'constituency' and its political responses to issues related to the crisis of Britain's inner cities. It centrally examines black access to and integration into the public policy process and views public policy responses and how these affect black politics. American experience provides a 'model' against which the British approach is viewed. The book looks at the background to the crisis, and its roots in economic decline. It also elaborates the historical development of government policy and legislation towards race and immigration, and the impact of community relations agencies, housing and education policy, and immigrant legislation. Black political action is considered, with particular emphasis on interest-group activity and community organisation. A concluding chapter looks at various policy options affecting blacks in Britain, comparing British and American approaches to community development and participation.