Group presentation for The Global City, Northwestern University, MPPA program, Summer 2011. Part 2 of 3. Parts 1 and 3 in a separate file.

1. POLITICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE FORMER BRITISH EMPIRE Though almost a solid two centuries apart, both the United States and India are former British colonies. Struggles based upon the universal rights of man– including political representation. But how has the realities of both Indian and American independence movements lived up to the ideals espoused by their respective independence leaders?

2. Homelessness as a barrier to political representation Homelessness is probably the largest barrier to political representation in the modern world. While the homeless technically have a right to vote, often it is is challenging if not downright impossible to register to vote without a permanent address. DETROIT MUMABI WASHINGTON

3. Unique problems – Mumbai - apathy Mumbai has high levels of political apathy compared to most other Indian cities. Voter turnout in Mumbai is habitually lower than other major cities in the nation.

4. Unique problems – Detroit – Corruption and state intervention Detroit has serious problems with political corruption, even compared to other major cities. Furthermore, Detroit is situated in a significantly more conservative state, and often times the Michigan state government exerts supremacy over the city’s wishes.

5. UNIQUE REPRESENTATION PROBLEMS IN WASHINGTON, DC Washington, DC is home to arguably the most powerful government in the free world. But in that seat of power, there are major discrepancies in political representation.

6. DISPARITY IN WASHINGTON’S POLITICAL REPRESENTATION But some DC residents have more political rights than others… Many of DC’s professional class work in and for the federal government, giving them the ear of people in power. Conversely, much of DC’s poor and marginalized are eons, not miles away from decision makers.

7. Political Marginalization -- Conclusions All three cities have problems with political marginalization on class lines. But each city comes with some of their own problems: Mumbai, even in the wake of a massive terrorist attack, cannot get it’s citizens to vote. Detroit has serious corruption and home rule disputes with it’s state government. Washington, DC is, in the view of the Organization of American states, effectively disenfranchised in blatant violation of the United States' commitment to the fundamental rights of man.

8. RETURN TO PART 3