6th Edition
Cities, Change, and Conflict A Political Economy of Urban Life
Cities, Change, and Conflict was one of the first texts to embrace the perspective of political economy as its main explanatory framework, and then complement it with the rich contributions of human ecology as well as perspectives derived from critical approaches to social theory. Although its primary focus is on North American cities, the book contains several chapters on cities in other parts of the world, including the Global North and Global South. It provides both historical and contemporary accounts of the impact of globalization on urban development and urban institutions.
This sixth edition features a new, groundbreaking chapter on the relationship between the physical environment and human settlements, including the urban-rural nexus. This edition also expands and updates coverage of recent trends such as the establishment and evolution of gay neighborhoods, the suburbanization of immigrant groups, the situation of the immigrant youth known as "Dreamers," the reverse migration of Blacks from the North to the South, and the proliferation of exurban communities.
Beyond examining the dynamics that shape the form and functionality of cities, the text surveys the experience of urban life among different social groups, including a new perspective on intersectionality as it affects people’s experiences in cities. It illuminates the workings of the urban economy, local and federal governments, and the criminal justice system while addressing policy debates and decisions that affect almost every aspect of urbanization and urban life.
Part I. Thinking About Cities
1. Examining Urban Issues
2. Theoretical Perspectives on the City
3. Cities and the Environment
Part II. The Changing City: Historical and Comparative Perspectives
4. Cities in World History
5. Urban Development in the United States
6. Cities, Suburbs, and Metropolitan Areas
7. Cities in the Global North
8. Cities in the Global South
Part III. Change and Conflict: Urban Social Groups
9. Immigrants in Urban Areas
10. Black Americans in Cities
11. Social Class and Neighborhoods
12. Women, Gender, and Urban Life
Part IV. Change and Conflict: Urban Institutions
13. Urban Economy and Politics
14. Urban Unrest and Social Control
15. Urban Policy and Planning
Biography
Nancy Kleniewski was President and Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Oneonta from 2008 to 2018. After receiving her PhD from Temple University, she served as Professor of Sociology at SUNY Geneseo, Dean of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Provost at Bridgewater State University. She is the author or editor of five books and numerous articles on urban issues and urban policy and is the former chair of the Urban Affairs Association.
Alexander R. Thomas is Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Oneonta. He received his PhD from Northeastern University and has gone on to author or coauthor nine books, including In Gotham’s Shadow, City and Country, and Urbanormativity, as well as four edited volumes and a number of refereed articles. His current research focuses on the historical development of cities and the impact of COVID-19 on populations.
Gregory Fulkerson is Professor and Chair of Sociology at SUNY Oneonta. He received his PhD from North Carolina State University in 2006. His scholarly interests are related to globalization, rurality, community, agriculture, and the environment. His current research investigates the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is author of several conference presentations and journal articles. Since 2019, he has authored or co-authored four books: Community in Urban-Rural Systems, City and Country, Urban Dependency, and Urbanormativity.
