Progressive Economic Development Policies

A Square PED in a Round Hole

Bibliographic Data

ID6404785
AuthorsLaura A Reese (0000-0003-4217-970X, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada, corresponding author), Pierre Filion (0000-0002-7538-6441, University of Waterloo), Gary Sands (Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA)
Year2021
Volume57
Issue5
Pages1410-1441
Publication date2021-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueUrban Affairs Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1078-0874 • E-ISSN: 1552-8332
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1078087419886362
OpenAlexW2985299557
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited81

It has become increasingly difficult to define progressive municipalities and progressive economic development. Conceptions of “local economic development” tied to neoliberal agendas are often narrow, focusing on efforts to offset perceived disadvantages of a location. Many traditional incentive policies result in a transfer of wealth from the public to the private sector. In this article, we consider whether the introduction of progressive economic development policies into the present neoliberal context might result in improved outcomes in terms of increased equity and democratic empowerment. However, progressive policies in one sector of intervention can yield nonprogressive outcomes in another. We conclude that progressive economic development policies are likely an oxymoron and recommend a complete reconceptualization of what “economic development” means

Context (archaeology · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Empowerment · Incentive · Market economy · Oxymoron · Private sector · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth · Regional Economics and Spatial Analysis