Nation's Metropolis: The Economy, Politics, and Development of the Washington Region

Nations Metropolis is a book that examines the national capital region as a metropolitan political economy, focusing on four major themes: the federal government, race, governance, and policy problems. It concludes that the institutions and practices of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are inadequate for dealing with the issues confronting the region in the twenty-first century and recommends rethinking the governance of the entire region.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2023
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Nations Metropolis delves into the intricate workings of the national capital region as a metropolitan political economy. Authored by Royce Hanson and Harold Wolman, the book distinguishes the unique characteristics of the Washington region from other metropolitan areas and capitals. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, it draws from economics, political science, sociology, geography, and history to explore these distinctions.

The book focuses on four major themes: the federal government as the region's primary industry and its pivotal role in economic, physical, and political development; race as a fundamental force shaping the metropolis; the mismatch between the governance and economy of the national capital region; and the challenge of achieving fully democratic governance for Washington, DC. Within these themes, critical regional issues and policy problems are analyzed, encompassing poverty, inequality, education, housing, transportation, water supply, and governance.

The authors conclude that the institutions and practices that have evolved over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are insufficient to effectively address the challenges facing the city and the region in the twenty-first century. The accumulation of problems stemming from the unique role of the federal government and the persistent issue of racial inequality has been further compounded by the failure to resolve the governance conundrum for the District of Columbia. Consequently, they recommend reevaluating the governance structure of the entire region.

While numerous books focus on Washington, DC, Nations Metropolis stands out as the sole book dedicated to the comprehensive development and political economy of the metropolitan region. It appeals to readers with an interest in the national capital, metropolitan development, and governance. By examining the unique dynamics of the region, Nations Metropolis provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between urbanization, politics, and economic growth.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781512822915