Substantive Representation In Street Fight

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In 2002, Newark held an election that divided its constituents among racial, socioeconomic, and geographical lines. The film analyzes the differences between descriptive and substantive representation and how they impact voters’ decisions. Descriptive representation of race and ethnicity deeply impact how constituents respond to the substantive representation of politicians’ policy preferences. The film indicates that descriptive representation causes voters to over-estimate policy congruence, or downplay its significance, when assessing politicians who look like them or share experiences with them. In Street Fight, voting on descriptive representation was detrimental to Newark because Sharpe was an ineffective leader who was consumed by graft. …show more content…

His usage of ethnic identity to promote his image was the essence of his power over Newark. James was the “The Real Deal” that had “experienced leadership” and his community looked to him as a figure of dependence and reliability. James’s political machine was based on a racial connection that was largely supported in the majority-minority inner city where the poor populations felt misrepresented. James capitalized on being a Newark native, and exploited his “blackness” and childhood-poverty as a demonstration of his credibility, even though over the years he had acquired obvious signs of wealth (Schwebber). His power and the local government embodied corruption. Businesses were shut down for putting up Booker signs, a woman faced losing her government-assisted housing, and a local church was even threatened with fiscal consequences for opposing …show more content…

Booker believed that “Newark is the frontier of the American Dream,” and his goals were focused on community outreach and unity, better housing and schools, and safer neighborhoods. However, electing Booker meant a deviation from the familiarity of Sharpe's established presence, despite the fact that his campaign centered on progress and innovation, of instilling power deriving from the people outwards and upwards to their officials. Booker campaigned door-to-door, creating real relationships with his neighbors because Booker believed he could "win the campaign on the streets." However, James attacked Booker’s racial authenticity making the mayoral election a referendum on whether Booker was authentically black enough to lead a majority-minority city (Gillespie

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