Civic Culture in Ottawa: The Endurance of Local Culture

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the two cities with individualistic cultures, Dallas and Miami. While Dallas and Miami fit this general model, the case studies here also uncover greater complexity in such systems and highlight how they are formed and change over time. There are a number of similarities between the basic structural and demographic traits of Dallas and Miami. While both initially had at-large electoral systems, they shifted to district-based elections under court order to increase opportunities for minority representation. Both of the cities have historically had elite-dominated power systems. Traditionally in Dallas the greatest value has been placed on facilitating business needs, creating a business-friendly environment, and then letting the market work with little public sector intervention. Decision-makers in Miami appear more open and indeed, embracing of the outside world, particularly as it relates to the increasingly global economy. Economic development policy in Miami and Dallas appears to fit well within the individualistic taxonomy.

Publication Title

Comparative Civic Culture: the Role of Local Culture in Urban Policy-Making

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