The mission of this book is to attack the idea that Houston is a conservative role model, a city that succeeds due to its boundless devotion to free enterprise. In this mission, Feagin fails more than he succeeds- partially because to get to his substantive argument a reader has to get through a chapter or two of sociological jargon, and another chapter or two of mind-numbing factual detail about every business leader who has ever lived in Houston. This book would have been better had it been about half its size. When he ...
Read More
The mission of this book is to attack the idea that Houston is a conservative role model, a city that succeeds due to its boundless devotion to free enterprise. In this mission, Feagin fails more than he succeeds- partially because to get to his substantive argument a reader has to get through a chapter or two of sociological jargon, and another chapter or two of mind-numbing factual detail about every business leader who has ever lived in Houston. This book would have been better had it been about half its size. When he gets to substance, his attack on Houston fails because he shows nothing more than that Houston has problems just like other cities- pollution, congestion, poverty, sprawl. So Houston isn't utopia. So what? Feagin fails because he makes little effort to compare Houston to other cities, except for a stray remark here and there. So he really didn't persuade me that Houston's problems were due to its allegedly small government, or that more socialistic policies would be more successful. Moreover, Feagin is utterly blind to the unintended consequences of government action. For example, he praises Houston for enacting minimum parking requirements and setback regulations, overlooking the possibility that such regulations contribute to the ills that he complains about by forcing pedestrians to walk through seas of parking to get to buildings. He complains that Houston has less public housing than other cities- but how many Cabrini-Greens and similar fiascoes does a city need? He praises Minneapolis as a role model- overlooking the small fact that Minneapolis has lost a fourth of its 1950 population, while Houston keeps growing. One thing Feagin does right: he points out that Houston is hardly a laissez-faire paradise, in that government has consistently subsidized its business elite through spending on roads, port facilities, convention centers, etc.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Contains some, or all, of the following: highlights, notes, and underlining. Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library, so some stamps and wear, but in good overall condition. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality textbooks across an enormous variety of subjects. We aim to provide a vast range of textbooks, rare and collectible books at a great price. Our donations to The Rainbow Centre have helped provide an education and a safe haven to hundreds of children who live in appalling conditions. We provide a 100% money back guarantee and are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest standards of service in the bookselling industry.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Used books are NOT guaranteed to contain components and/or supplements such as: Access Codes or working CD's/DVD's! ! Expedited shipping 1-3 business days;
