Rogues, Rebels, And Rubber Stamps: The Politics Of The Chicago City Council, 1863 To The Present / Edition 1

by Dick Simpson

Overview

In Rogues, Rebels, and Rubber Stamps, Dick Simpson challenges and recasts current theories of Regime Politics as he chronicles the dramatic story of the civic wars in the Chicago City Council since the civil war. At the same time, the author provides a window into the broader struggle for democracy and justice.Simpson points out that through analyzing city council floor fights, battles at the ballot box, and street demonstrations, one can begin to see certain patterns of conflict emerge. These patterns demonstrate that before the Great Depression, fragmented city councils were dominant. The author also discusses how since the Democrats seized control of Chicago government after the Great Depression, Rubber Stamp City Councils have been predominant, although they have been punctuated by brief eras of council wars and chaos. This book is important for anyone wanting to understand the nature of these battles as a guideline for America's future, and is well suited for courses in urban politics, affairs and history.Rogues, Rebels, and Rubber Stamps received an Honorable Mention for the 2001 Society of Midland Authors Book Award for Adult Non-Fiction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813397634
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/26/2001
Series:	Urban Policy Challenges Series
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	356
Sales rank:	735,925
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1450L (what's this?)

About the Author

Dick Simpson is a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a former Chicago Alderman, and a former congressional candidate. He is also the author of numerous books, video documentaries, and professional journal articles on elections and urban politics.

Table of Contents

Preface , Prologue: The Clash in the Council , Divided Councils , Nineteenth-Century and Civil War Councils, 1833–1871 , The Councils of the Gray Wolves, 1871–1931 , Rubber Stamp Councils , Kelly-Nash Machine Council, 1933-1947 , Richard J. Daley's Rubber Stamp, 1955–1976 , Michael Bilandic's Interlude, 1976-1979 , Jane Byrne's Turmoil, 1979–1983 , Council Wars and Chaos , Harold Washington's Council Wars, 1983–1987 , Eugene Sawyer's Chaos, 1987–1989 , Return to Mayoral Control , Daley's Return, 1989–2003 , History from the Council Chambers , Changing Patterns in Mayor—Council Relations , Democracy's Endless Struggle

Editorial Reviews

This book focuses on the relationships between Chicago city mayors and city councils. It provides a quantitative analysis of 127 years of divided roll call votes, focusing on 15 different councils, evaluating the level of support a specific council had for its mayor. Simpson, who has taught political science for 30 years and served in a variety of political positions in the Chicago and Illinois government, argues that reforms are often introduced by outsiders and ridiculed by those in power, only, over time, to be elevated by media and political leaders to acceptance and even adoption. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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