Political leadership: When place makes a difference

Hambleton, Robin

Abstract

This chapter considers the importance of place in the modern world and explores the major power struggle that is now underway between place-less power and place-based power. Place-less power refers to the exercise of power by decision makers who are unconcerned about the impacts of their decisions on communities living in particular places. The chapter opens with a discussion of why place matters. The rise of place-less power is then considered, and this shows how the power of place, meaning the ability of citizens living in localities to influence events affecting their area, has been eroded. The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, opened a new window of political possibilities. The old Washington consensus, which believed in small states and low taxes, is now challenged by a new Washington consensus that believes in activist governments, inclusive growth, and a new green deal. A conceptual framework for understanding collaborative approaches to urban governance – the New Civic Leadership - is presented. Three respected examples of bold civic leadership – Bristol, UK; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Freiburg, Germany – are presented to illustrate the argument that place-based innovation can make an important contribution to meeting current societal challenges. Following a consideration of the possible downsides of ‘place’ a final section identifies emerging lessons for scholarship and for policy and practice.

• Online Publication Date: Apr 18, 2023
• Publication Date: Jan 18, 2023
• Deposit Date: Apr 5, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 19, 2023
• Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
• Pages: 234-252
• Book Title: Handbook on Local and Regional Governance
• Chapter Number: 16
• ISBN: 978 1 80037 119 4
• Keywords: Place; political leadership; civic leadership; collaborative governance; place-based innovation; place-less power
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10610281
• Publisher URL: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/handbook-on-local-and-regional-governance-9781800371194.html
• Contract Date: Jan 4, 2022