Meet the New Boss by Jonathan Alter
A couple of quick contextual qualifications on this article:
While it's true that Chicago's homicide rate is twice that of New York's, its also true that it is less than half of what it was in the early '90's and that it continues to drop almost every year (as it has done in most major cities since the mid-90's). This is not to say that crime is not a series issue. It is a very real problem, particularly for a number poor, economically isolated and underserved neighborhoods on the South and West Sides. It is, however, also a problem that is largely abstract and mythological for the (mostly-white) upper and middle classes. It is not something that they deal with directly, but are, nevertheless, constantly worried about. Many white suburbanites, for example, still percieve the City to be a dark, shadowy place filled with constant danger, when in realty they are far safer in most urban places they'll ever live or visit than they are driving through the suburbs their whole life. I'll write on this in much greater depth when I have the chance. For now let me just say that the drop in urban crime, almost universally, but especially in NYC, has as much to do with demographic changes (fewer poor young people, more older wealthy people), as it does with better policing tactics.
Secondly, while I wouldn't rule it out that Rahm may have greater political ambitions, I'm also suspicious that he will only be a two term mayer, as the author implies. Illinois is one of the most geographically and politically divided states in the country. It is, in this way, a microcosm of the nation as a whole. While it's certainly possible to accomplish more at a higher office, it may not be a realistic position from which to achieve the most effective policy changes. Large city mayors and their governments have undoubtedly been the source of the most innovative policies in America for the last 10 - 20 years. Rahm Emanuel may already be in the best place to get things done.
No comments:
Post a Comment