The Decentralized Politics of Los Angeles

Abstract

Under the same formal governmental arrange ments, characterized chiefly by nonpartisanship and decentrali zation, Los Angeles has known both good and bad municipal government. Undoubtedly, the decentralized politics together with the demographic and geographic diversity of the city have helped to keep Los Angeles from coming under the control of a political boss or a covert ruling elite. With abundant room to grow and a benign natural environment, Los Angeles has not suffered from the more obvious problems of urban density. One possible consequence of this is a low visibility for politics. Now, as the margin of safety against the problems of urban density diminishes, some observers doubt that the diffuse and decentralized politics and government are adequate to the problems facing the city. Proposals to change the charter in the direction of centralization and integration have not drawn impressive support. Informal integration of city politics through particular private groups, or even through a comeback of political parties, does not seem to be immediately forth coming. Probably until acutely pressed by obvious civic needs, Los Angeles' citizens will not consider her decentralized politics too great a price to pay for an unbossed and scandal-free city.