On January 30, 2019, Metropolitics and its partner the Urban Democracy Lab at New York University (NYU) held a panel discussion titled “Navigating the City–State Divide: What’s Next for Progressive Elected Officials?”. This discussion grew out of Metropolitics’ series on Progressive Mayors and Urban Social Movements, which explored the structural and political challenges to implementing progressive urban agendas, within the contexts of growing metropolitan inequality, political and cultural divides, and social movements arising in response to these changes. We sought to discuss how, in the context of more cautious, less activist state governments, progressive urban leaders can pursue inclusive, social equity–oriented public policies.
We were thrilled to welcome as participants New York City councilperson Carlos Menchaca; Fordham University Law School associate professor Zephyr Teachout; New York state senator Zellnor Myrie; and moderator Richard C. Schragger, Perre Bowen Professor of Law at the University of Virginia and author of the book City Power: Urban Governance in a Global Age. Our panelists engaged in a substantive, lively, and ultimately optimistic discussion about the future for urban progressivism.
You can view the discussion in its entirety below, or on the dedicated Urban Democracy Lab web page.
