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Private Neighborhoods And the Transformation of Local Government
Private Neighborhoods And the Transformation of Local Government Author:Robert H. Nelson In recent years, private neighborhood associations ("community associations") have become an important part of local government. From 1980 to 2000, half the new housing in the United States was built in a development project governed by a neighborhood association. More than 50 million Americans now live in these associations. In Private Neighbor... more »hoods and the Transformation of Local Government, Robert Nelson reviews the history of neighborhood associations, explains the reasons for their recent explosive growth, and speculates on their future role in American society. The book examines the political and economic consequences of this basic change in the manner of American governance at the local level. Unlike many previous studies, Nelson takes on the whole a positive view. Neighborhood associations are providing controls over the neighborhood environment desired by the residents, providing high quality common services, and helping to promote a stronger sense of neighborhood community. Yet, significant operating problems are being experienced in many associations. Private Neighborhoods and the Transformation of Local Government proposes a set of new options for improving the future governance of neighborhood associations. This book provides the most comprehensive report to date on the rise of the neighborhood association as a significant new governing institution in American life.« less