{"product_id":"philadelphia-corrupt-and-consenting-a-citys-struggle-against-an-epithet-9781439924273","title":"Philadelphia, Corrupt and Consenting: A City's Struggle Against an Epithet","description":"\u003ch2\u003ePhiladelphia, Corrupt and Consenting: A City's Struggle Against an Epithet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nMore than a century after muckraking journalist Lincoln Steffens derided the city of Philadelphia as being \"corrupt and contented,\" Philadelphia struggles to rise above this unfortunate characterization. \u003ci\u003ePhiladelphia, Corrupt and Consenting\u003c\/i\u003e is the story of a city's confrontation with a history that threatens its future. Author Brett Mandel, who has been a reform-oriented government official and political insider, provides a detailed account of the corruption investigation of John Dougherty, one of the city's most powerful political figures, in order to expose and explore networks of corruption.\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis hardcover edition examines the costs of corruption, both financial and nonpecuniary, and considers the opportunity cost that corruption imposes. Mandel explores the nature and development of Philadelphia's unique culture of corruption, emphasizing how machine politics and self-dealing are entwined with city history, creating a culture that allows corruption to thrive. In addition, he provides practical, achievable policies and actions that can produce positive change in Philadelphia and elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eInsider Perspective on Municipal Corruption\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nBrett H. Mandel brings credentials as Executive Director of the citizens' organization \u003ci\u003ePhiladelphia Forward\u003c\/i\u003e and Director of Financial and Policy Analysis for the Office of the Philadelphia City Controller. His experience as a reform-oriented government official provides unique insight into how collective actions or inattention give consent to corruption, its roots and effects, and the reasons for its persistence.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eComprehensive Analysis of Political Reform\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nThe book connects historical context from Lincoln Steffens' original characterization to contemporary investigations, examining networks of corruption within local government structures. Mandel's investigation of John Dougherty reveals systemic issues within Pennsylvania politics and Mid-Atlantic urban governance. The author presents practical reform policies applicable to Philadelphia and other municipalities facing similar challenges.\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePhiladelphia, Corrupt and Consenting\u003c\/i\u003e is a critique, but above all, it is a call to action for civic engagement and government accountability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eBrett H. Mandel\u003c\/b\u003e is a Philadelphia-based writer and consultant who engages in civic activism and government reform when he is not serving as Chief Financial Officer and Utility Player for his start-up, Baseball BBQ. He has also served as the Executive Director of the National Education Technology Funding Corporation; Executive Director of the citizens' organization, \u003ci\u003ePhiladelphia Forward\u003c\/i\u003e; and Director of Financial and Policy Analysis for the Office of the Philadelphia City Controller. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eMinor Players, Major Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eIs This Heaven?: The Magic of the Field of Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e; and coauthor of \u003ci\u003ePhiladelphia: A New Urban Direction\u003c\/i\u003e.","brand":"Temple University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680379080978,"sku":"9781439924273","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_957d054d-aa49-4f92-abb5-696c6223887d.jpg?v=1734906002","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/philadelphia-corrupt-and-consenting-a-citys-struggle-against-an-epithet-9781439924273","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}