We study neighborhood associations as local political actors. In our sample, most were formed around a single neighborhood issue, typically involving land-development projects. Their most common opponents include local government and business and real estate developers. The well-known growth-machine model is challenged in two ways. First, although growth issues are prominent in the establishment of neighborhood associations, in many cases they are joined or replaced by other kinds of issues (such as public services or safety). Second, local government is perceived as a political ally as often as it is seen as an opponent, and sometimes it is seen as both on the same issue.
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