Disneyland Politics: How a Medium-Size City and Corporate Giant Coexist [Paperback]

When Walt Disney decided to build Disneyland in Anaheim, CA in the 1950s, the move presented a puzzle for Anaheim’s government: How would the city balance the interests of private investors against those of the citizenry when the two came into conflict?

Disneyland Politicsis a cogent examination of this urban power struggle, which has been playing out for 70 years. The authors show how the city was initially bound to the Disneyland Imperative, which placed the theme park above everything else in the city, including other economic development projects. However, starting in the 1990s, citizens pushed back against the corporation and its supporters, wanting a more balanced public policy agenda and ultimately loosening the stranglehold Disneyland had over the city’s political order.

Recounting the history of Disney’s power in action and the tension between democratic governance and reliance on private investment,Disneyland Politicsillustrates how those who pursue alternative agendas attempt to get their way, and how the fight for a more balanced public policy agenda has changed local power dynamics to be less favorable to Disneyland over time.
 
In the seriesUrban Life, Landscape, and Policy

Disneyland Politicsanalyzes the relationship between Disneyland and the city of Anaheim, CA, from Disneyland's founding in 1954 through 2024.... While some scholars (Paul Peterson) view urban politics as simply a reflection of economic interests that result in pro-growth policies, the authors take a more sophisticated view. They examine not only how Disney came to dominate policymaking, but also how other groups were able to critique, challenge, and occasionally limit Disney's power.... This book is thoroughly researched and well written, and makes a significant contribution to the study of urban politics. Summing Up: Highly recommended.Choice

Burns, Thomas, and Bieganskilãš