Party Conflict and Community Development: Postwar Politics in Ann Arbor

Through an in-depth study of Ann Arbor politics, Party Conflict and Community Development addresses fundamental questions of the relationship between partisan politics and municipal government. Since a large majority of middle-sized American cities operate with nonpartisan government, Ann Arbor's fiercely competitive, two-party system provides an essential counterpoint to other urban studies. Moreover, political activity at this local level gives unique insight into the relative strength and performance of American political parties. Samuel J. Eldersveld examines in detail how this increasingly competitive system has led to innovative policy change. Finally, he offers comparisons to other American and European cities.

Samuel J. Eldersveld is Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Michigan. His many publications include Political Parties in American Society and Political Elites in Modern Societies: Empirical Research and Democratic Theory (University of Michigan Press, 1989). He was mayor of Ann Arbor from 1957 to 1959.