Shaming the Inside Game

Abstract

Liberal expansionism is the dominant approach to addressing the problems of American cities. This approach combines liberal political philosophy with the idea that these problems can be solved only by creating linkages between cities and resources beyond their boundaries. The case for liberal expansionism derives from the shaming of the inside game—a critique of community development and the progressive capacities of cities themselves. I develop a countercritique of this notion. I find that much of it is unjustified by empirical evidence, and instead, results from ideological bias. This conclusion suggests that the dominance of liberal expansionism be questioned.