Cities of Power: The Urban, The National, The Popular, The Global

by Göran Therborn

Why are cities centres of power? A sociological analysis of urban politics

Why are some cities more powerful than others? What makes a capital city different from others in a nation state? In this brilliant survey of urban politics, leading sociologist Göran Therborn looks at what makes a metropolis. Through a historical lens and a global perspective, Therborn questions received assumptions about the source of urban power and how it manifests itself. He looks at the way that architecture and social movements have had their impact on the way cities work. He explores what makes a ‘global city’. And argues that, at a time when they seem to be moving apart, there is a strong link between the city and the nation state. With examples from revolutionary Paris to the rise of the post-colonial capitals of the Global South and the mega cities of the twenty first century, Therborn forces us to think about what our urban future might look like.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Sociology, Geography, Architecture

564 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2017

About the author

Göran Therborn is a professor of sociology at Cambridge University and is amongst the most highly cited contemporary Marxian-influenced sociologists. He has published widely in journals such as the New Left Review, and is notable for his writing on topics that fall within the general political and sociological framework of post-Marxism. Topics on which he has written extensively include the intersection between the class structure of society and the function of the state apparatus, the formation of ideology within subjects, and the future of the Marxist tradition.

Reviews

[Raya Al-Raddadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

كتاب يجمع بين المعرفة والتاريخ والتحليل النظري يركز على دراسة العواصم التي شهدت أحداث تاريخيه لفهم العلاقة بين كل من الدول والشعوب، العواصم والأطراف، الشعبوية والنخوية، القومية والعالمية. يقوم الكاتب بدراسة تاريخية لأثر العمارة والحركات الاجتماعية على تشكيل قوة المدن (وهو مايشير إلى عنوان الكتاب) مثل واشنطن العاصمة وباريس الثورية واستانه عاصمة كازخستان الحديثة، والكثير من العواصم الأخرى. بينما يتناول الجزء الأول لمحة عامة عن تطور الدول وعواصمها في أجزاء مختلفة من العالم، يتناول الجزء الثاني (والذي أجده أكثر إمتاعاً) نظرة تاريخية وتحليلية عن الفاشية والشيوعية والرأسمالية وعواقبها في مدن معينة ولاينسى بالطبع أن يربطها بالمعالم التاريخية التي أصبحت تمثل ،إما تذكارياً أو باللاوعي، القوى المهيمنة في ذلك المحيط.

[can y · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive account of globalization and modernity through a hermeneutical reading of national capitals. Therborn's analysis is not limited to Western capitals, it includes all corners of the world from Lima to Lilongwe. In describing the economic and political history of globalization, Therborn puts a convincing account of the transformation of the ideal NATIONAL capital of Paris to the ideal national CAPITAL of Singapore. Perhaps the only short coming of the book is its impressive scope, which means that analysis on each capital is limited, and certain accounts get repetitive after a while.

[Thorlakur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A readable and well researched book on an interesting topic. Mr. Therborn falls into some of the usual pitfalls of the European left. When discussing Stalinist Russia of the 1930s he does not acknowledge the regime's murderous nature. The regime was according to him paranoid in nature because of its war experience, probably referring to the Great War, Russian revolution and ensuing civil war. Mr. Therborn then goes on a rant about the clandestine military actions of the US Bush and Obama regimes, for younger readers to better understand the nature of the Stalin era. For lack of a better expression: Come on!

[Russell Glenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Initial impression on reading opening pages is that the author leans far left. (He is in fact a Marxist.) The book is less an analysis of powerful capital cities than the author's descriptions of same Depth of description struck me as less reflective of actual visits than Internet searches. Later chapters look at various political persuasions' influence on cities (e.g., fascism, communism). Might be of value to those studying a particular city or influence type, but only as a complementary resource to others. Often less about a subject city than its country. Marxist comments struck me as increasingly flippant as pages progressed.

[Mckenzie Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and not to often covered aspect of urban studies, includes plenty of information on post-colonial cities which is refreshing- so often these books focus on NYC, Chicago and London. Fascinating chapters about the effects of communism and fascism as well; particularly Rome under Il Duce.

[Zolani Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that is both a strong urban history but also a good political history of the western world and its effect on the globe.

[Migüel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

La arquitectura siempre ha está sujeta a la política. Me entristece saber que hay gente que defiende y condena el minimalismo moderno solo porque la estética de la arquitectura absolutista y monárquica es más "bonita". El urbanismo es más que estética, también es un ideal trascendental de organización funcional, luego se intenta aterrizar este ideal en la ciudad. Que buen libro lpm!!