Overview

As nationalist and populist movements gain traction worldwide, democracy faces growing threats. In many cases, large cities have emerged as strongholds of progressive and democratic values, pushing back against authoritarian pressures. This timely book explores the evolving power struggle between cities and central governments, particularly in countries led by populist regimes. It examines key issues such as decentralisation, financial autonomy and participatory governance, showing how cities are leading the fight against democratic backsliding. As local governments become ""laboratories of democracy"", this collection highlights their crucial role in protecting civil liberties and fostering political engagement in an era of rising extremism.

Full Product Details

Author:   Enrico Antonio La Vina (University of California) ,  Su Yun Woo (University of Twente) ,  Ayda Eraydın (Middle East Technical University) ,  Ignazio Vinci (University of Palermo)
Publisher:   Bristol University Press
Imprint:   Bristol University Press
ISBN:  

9781529250602

ISBN 10:   1529250609
Pages:   252
Publication Date:   24 February 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  General/trade ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock  
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Table of Contents

1. Introduction - Marta Lackowska, Le Anh Nguyen Long, Wirginia Aksztejn and Ivan Tosics Part 1: Theoretical Foundations 2. Authoritarian Regimes, (Re)centralization and Cities - Marta Lackowska, Le Anh Nguyen Long, Wirginia Aksztejn and Ivan Tosics 3. Europe Needs a Thorough Reset - Eric Corijn Part 2: Still Uncentered? Attempts to Develop Illiberal Regimes 4. Right-wings and the Cty in Contemporary Italy: Culture, Policies, and Remedy - Ignazio Vinci, University of Palermo 5. Countering the Far-Right Threat to Cities and Communities in the UK - Robin Hambleton, University of the West of England 6. Cities Against Populism in the US - Le Anh Nguyen Long, University of Twente and co-author Part 3: Re-centralization in Progress? Establishing Authoritarian Governments 7. Fragmented and Contested: Recentralization in Poland and Local Reactions - Wirginia Aksztejn, Marta Lackowska, and co-author, University of Warsaw 8. How a National Government Wants to Cripple its Capital City: The Case of Hungary - Ivan Tosics, of Metropolitan Research Institute, Budapest 9. Struggling Against Tactical Populism: The Reactions of Metropolitan Governments in Turkey - Ayda Eraydin, Middle East Technical University, Ankara Part 4: Cities Against Monocentric, Dictatorial Regimes 10. Looking at Populism in the Current Latin American Context - Arturo Flores 11. Citizen Participation in the Age of Chinese Authoritarian Populism - Su Yun Woo and co-author 12. Cities Against Populism in the US - Le Anh Nguyen Long 13. Comparative Conclusions - Marta Lackowska, Le Anh Nguyen Long, Wirginia Aksztejn and Ivan Tosics

Reviews

“This is an indispensable and timely study of the growing dangers of democratic backsliding among western democracies, exploring the impact of populist radical right parties on the multi-level governance of cities.” José M. Magone, Berlin School of Economics and Law

Author Information

Marta Lackowska is Professor at the Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies at the University of Warsaw. Le Anh Nguyen Long is Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the University of Twente. Wirginia Aksztejn is Research Assistant at the Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies at the University of Warsaw. Ivan Tosics is Managing Director of the Metropolitan Research Institute in Budapest.

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