Topic: Metropolis: Issues in Politics and Governments in the New York Metro Area

Catalog description

This course is designed to provide the student with basic knowledge of how governments in the New York metropolitan area decide "who gets what, when and how" (Lasswell 1958). We will examine the general principles of federalism as the process impacts on local and on state governments, as necessary. We will study the sources of power in governments and how such powers influence which policies governments pursue. This course will focus on the roles of economic power, officials, business, and interests groups. We will examine these factors as they relate to specific New York metropolitan-area governments and public policy issues (poverty, taxes, the environment, sprawl, etc.) through in class, student and faculty-driven, discussions and debates.