The Ideological Structure of Municipal Non-Ideology

Abstract

This paper explores the structure of elite disagreement about the ideological or nonideological character of municipal politics. I propose two possible relationships between a representative’s own ideology and their beliefs about the character of municipal politics: an “ends-against-the-middle” pattern, in which ideologues on the left and right embrace an ideological vision of municipal politics, whereas moderates insist that municipal politics is not ideological; and an “asymmetric visions” pattern, in which individuals on the left endorse an ideological view of municipal politics and those on the right oppose it. I use new survey data from more than 800 mayors and councillors in Canada to assess these possible relationships. While both are supported by the data, the asymmetric visions pattern is the stronger of the two: the nonideological view of municipal politics is most firmly embraced by municipal politicians of the moderate right, while the ideological vision is most common among representatives on the left. This pattern, I argue, is in keeping with a century of municipal political history and should be incorporated into our theories of municipal elections, representation, and policy disagreement.

Are Municipal Politicians Ideological Moderates?

“…First, they reinforce recent interpretations of municipal politics as a culture of non-ideological pragmatism embedded within ideological policy disagreement and electoral competition. Lucas (2023) found that municipal politicians endorse a "non-ideological" vision of municipal politics, but the strength of that endorsement varies considerably by politicians' own ideological positions. This paper adds the supportive finding that municipal politicians are also more likely than other politicians to think of themselves as ideological moderates.…”

Going Local, Going Mainstream? Ethnographic Study of Two French Cities Governed by the Rassemblement National

“…Thirdly, the access to local power presents intricate empirical and theoretical quandaries. On one hand, the pragmatic nature of local political arenas (Barber 2014;Cann 2018;Lucas 2021;Oliver 2012) might suggest potential stronger effects of de-radicalization at that level compared to the national level. However, studies focused on the Italian (Northern) League have revealed the opposite.…”

“…of PRR parties. This holds true, especially in the municipal sphere, conventionally perceived as less ideological and partisan (Barber 2014;Cann 2018;Lucas 2021;Oliver 2012), 'the realm of administration, rather than the realm of politics' (Drápalová and Wegrich 2021: 645-647). Consequently, 'subnational arenas are often assumed to play a role in the mainstreaming process of radical parties' (Paxton and Peace 2021: 2).…”

An Introduction to Volume 59, Issue 1: Progressive Cities, Voters and their Elected Officials, Privatized Services, Neighbors and Neighborhoods, and Housing

“…The multidimensional measures of private performance offer in-depth analysis that doesn't reduce privatization outcomes to cost alone. Lucas (2023) considers the viewpoints of Canadian mayors and city councillors when he takes up the longstanding discussion in urban scholarship and practice of whether local politics is ideological or merely pragmatic. His analysis shows that most officeholders claim to be pragmatists not idealogues.…”