Molotch Flashcards
Name the three topics that Molotch focused on:
- What is the ideology behind most cities’ plans and policies?
- Which local interest groups wield most influence in city agendas?
- How legitimate is pursuing economic growth in cities?
Where does the term “growth machine” come from?
Derived from the efficient organization of Irish and other migrants in early America that mobilied voters, won elections, distributed benefits, patronage, jobs, etc. to their supporters
Coalition building is common in (local) politics, but which did Molotch discover, were the most dominant coalitions?
Coalitions that have economic growth as their top priority
How do growth coalition members view their own growth ambitions?
Not as self-serving, but as being of benefit for the whole community: leads to (good) jobs and income -> lower unemployment -> less money to welfare -> increased tax revenues -> more money for schools, libraries, etc.
What did Molotch discover about the impact of growth?
- Tax rates stayed mostly the same as before.
- More tax incomes did not necessarily lead to more/better services for the poor
- New initiated projects sometimes became money sinks
How did Porter challenge Molotch’s views?
He believed that the success of indigenous entreprenours is the best way to help the urban poor.
And that many of the growth machine characteristics are good.
What are the benefits of growth?
Tax reductions
Increased jobs and more income taxes
Money for schools, roads, etc.
What are the downsides of growth?
Bad for the environment
Traffic congestions
High unemployment:
local growth does not make jobs, but distributes them -> aggregate (national) employment stays the same -> unemployed from other areas are attracted -> local growth scarcely affects unemployment (actually higher unemployment)
