Practically everything one could want to know about America's democracy is included in this volume, which focuses on the origins of the government and the ways in which it has expanded and evolved as the result of legislation, constitutional amendments, Supreme Court decisions, and cultural reformations. The first of five sections introduces the reader to the subject of American democracy. The second highlights the foundation of the government. Section three examines the core documents that established American democracy, from the Mayflower Compact of 1620 to the Voting Rights Act of 1965....

This book shows how and why strategic planning is working in cities around the country. It illustrates how this technique enables a city to plan its future proactively and shows how local governments use it to solve current problems and make sure they continue to reach their goals. Using seventeen case studies from a diverse mix of cities, it outlines the components of successful strategic planning, including program design, needs and capabilities assessment, implementation, and ongoing evaluation. In this book, you'll see how planners use strategic planning to synthesize population trends,...

This is a guide to introduce the rapidly evolving field of communities that are effectively 'going green'. An assessment of the future of these towns and cities and resources for citizens and officials seeking information conclude the work.

This book is based on a national literature search focusing on the best practices of cities, of all sizes and geographic locations, intended to maintain public services while holding down taxes. Many public officials have great ideas, but tend to work in a vacuum, so they don't know what other cities are doing. This volume codifies knowledge in this new field for the first time. Every case study included in this book has the city's website listed. This reference work makes it easy for professionals seeking additional information on any and all budget reduction methods that seem to work...

Cost efficiency was the initial goal of privatization achieved in many cases but not consistently. Public services provided by the private sector were cheap in the beginning but became increasingly expensive, especially to low-income citizens. The lessons learned from early successes and failures gave birth to a new goal effectiveness of services, as measured by accountable results. Government officials are not looking just for proven budget savings; they must also be concerned with the quality of public services and ultimately the happiness of citizens and communities. In its updated second...

This is a handbook of international best practices on how cities throughout the world have improved their transportation options provided to their citizens. Roadways for cars are bring turned into walkways and bikeways, light-rail transit systems have been installed to reduce traffic and pollution, and more citizens are riding bikes and walking. In the olden days our cities were designed by cars for cars. Nowadays our cities are being designed, redesigned, and improved for the people who live there - citizens. Many communities throughout the world have decreased their reliance on the personal...

Generations ago, immigrants came to the U.S. from Europe and Africa in large numbers. Today they are arriving mainly from Latin America and Asia. Most are documented but many are not. While the federal and most state governments have done little beyond controlling borders and ports of entry to address pressing immigration issues, public officials and community organizations at the local level have been advancing commonsense, pragmatic solutions to accommodate the newest members of American society. This collection of essays provides a handbook for developing good county- and...

We tend to associate small town economic development with the decline of the rural United States - empty houses, shuttered shops and rusting factories. This collection of recent articles by experts presents stories of small-town America's struggle and describes innovations and practices behind successful revivals.

Eminent domain is integral to a government's legal ability to take private property for a public purpose. Bad faith abuses of eminent domain typically make the front pages of news outlets. To educate citizens and prevent future abuse, this book exposes both the good and the bad aspects of government's ability to use their power of eminent domain to acquire private property.