The emergence of stable racially and ethnically diverse urban communities: A case study of nine U.S. cities

Abstract

We examine the characteristics of 14 stable racially and ethnically diverse urban communities in 9 U.S. cities and point to policies that could strengthen these communities and encourage the growth of more diverse neighborhoods in American cities. The cities examined are Chicago; Denver; Houston; Memphis, TN; Milwaukee; New York; Oakland, CA; Philadelphia; and Seattle. University researchers and community leaders in each city collaborated on the research for this project.

We identify two types of stable diverse communities, “self‐conscious” and “laissez‐faire,” which have evolved for different reasons and with different characteristics. Stable diverse communities will not just happen, but they can be influenced by a number of policy recommendations stemming from our research. These include helping individuals and organizations take leadership roles in their communities, strengthening and enforcing fair housing and antidiscrimination laws, earmarking economic resources to encourage neighborhood diversity, and creating community safety and jobs programs.     

Comment on Donald R. Haurin and Hazel A. Morrow‐Jones's “the impact of Real Estate Market knowledge on tenure choice: A comparison of black and white households”

Abstract

Haurin and Morrow‐Jones analyze a sample of survey respondents from Columbus, OH, and find that additional knowledge about real estate markets increases the likelihood of homeownership. They conclude that differences in real estate knowledge contribute importantly to explaining some of the racial gap in homeownership rates; this finding leads to their conclusion that the racial gap can be addressed through public policy interventions, including financial counseling programs.

Their research broadly addresses three questions: Why does the racial gap in homeownership exist? Why does it persist? What can be done to reduce it? We compare their findings with those of other researchers and conclude that improved financial literacy may well be an important tool for reducing the gap, but that the causes for its existence and persistence are complex and that improving financial literacy alone may not be sufficient to have a significant and lasting impact.     

Comment on Donald R. Haurin and Hazel A. Morrow‐Jones's “rhe impact of Real Estate Market knowledge on tenure choice: A comparison of black and white households”

Abstract

Racial differences in tenure have been large and persistent, with white householders much more likely to own their homes than blacks. Haurin and Morrow‐Jones surveyed a sample of 1,002 in metropolitan Columbus, OH, in 2005 to determine the causes of the tenure gap between blacks and whites.

Social and economic differences played a dominant role, but Haurin and Morrow‐Jones also identified a racial difference in real estate and financial knowledge, a difference they suggest could be reduced or eliminated with education. This comment raises questions about national homeownership goals and points out that Haurin and Morrow‐Jones overlook the consequences of pervasive racial residential segregation and the effects of both past and current discrimination.     

The decline of older,inner suburbs in metropolitan America

Abstract

This article develops an index of suburban decline for 3,428 U.S. suburbs. The results of this index were used to measure the prevalence and extent of decline for older, inner suburbs and newer suburbs across the nation and in different regions from 1980 to 2000. The general pattern is one of decline in selected older, inner suburbs, especially those with housing built between 1950 and 1969 and those with increasing minority populations.

Regional analysis reveals that the South and the Midwest had the highest proportion of older, inner suburbs in crisis. Suburbs with housing built before 1939 emerged as areas of continuing affluence.     

西南少数民族地区传统手工艺的保护与开发

在经济全球化浪潮下,西南少数民族地区民间手工艺面临着衰退和变异的趋势。本文通过介绍西南少数民族地区民间手工艺的文化和经济价值,针对目前民间手工艺发展中面临的形势,提出了一些传承西南少数民族地区民间手工艺的措施。     

浅议社区警务中的犯罪预防

控制和预防犯罪是社区警务的主要工作目标。在社区警务中开展犯罪预防既有必要性,也有可行性。社区警务中犯罪预防工作的重点是三类易犯罪群体和三种易犯罪地域。     

我国东西部地区毒品犯罪比较研究

毒品犯罪是一个全球化的问题。在我国 ,毒品犯罪的重灾区有六个 ,其中五个在西部。本文从我国东、西部受国际环境影响、城市化进程 (区域化经济发展 )的不同着眼 ,通过研究东、西部毒品犯罪人员、吸毒人群的差异 ,研究东、西部毒品犯罪方法手段的异同 ,旨在为国家有关部门和实战一线的辑毒工作提供决策依据。     

农村基层民主政治建设中的问题及对策

在农村基层民主政治建设中 ,还存在民主政治氛围不浓 ,实施领域不广 ,制度未建立健全 ,实施程序不够明确 ,没有规范 ;有民主自由化苗头。农村基层民主政治建设存在问题的主要原因 :干部群众对有关概念似是而非 ,干部的家长制或变相家长制作风仍然存在 ,群众民主参与意识不强 ,文化素养和民主水平不高 ,上级对基层指导不力。要搞好农村基层民主政治建设 ,必须提高干部和农民的素质 ,营造良好氛围 ;不断丰富和发展建设内容 ;规范程序和方法 ;实现法律化、制度化 ;充分发挥党组织的领导核心作用。     

试论革命根据地法律制度研究

在上个世纪七八十年代,有关根据地法律制度的研究曾经是大陆法史学界一大热点和亮点,最近十多年来,随着学术旨趣的转移,有关根据地法律的研究逐渐被人冷落。在改革开放的今天、在西方学术话语几乎一统天下的学术环境下,笔者重提根据地法律制度的研究,其目的是为了引起学术界对根据地法律制度的重视。笔者以为加强根据地法律制度的研究不但可以加深我们对现实法制的了解,为中国正在建设中的法制提供必要的智识和本土资源,同时也有助于我们处理好政策与法律、社会转型与法制、法制建设与民众的关系等热点问题。     

中国共产党在农村社会变革中的功能考察

中国共产党执政后，对农村进行了彻底改造，其功能的发挥可称为“创势”，在此过程中其执政党的功能得以空前发挥，在取得巨大成绩的同时也经历了很大的挫折。对于挫折的反思促使中国共产党开始了顺应农民意愿的改革，其功能的发挥可称为“顺势”。随着“三农”问题的凸显，农村改革进入攻坚阶段，中国共产党提出了社会主义新农村建设，其功能的发挥可称为“引势”。