The Global Edge - by Alejandro Portes & Ariel C Armony (Paperback)

About the Book

"Over the last quarter of a century, Miami has transformed into a global city. The Global Edge focuses on the social tensions and unexpected consequences of this remarkable process of change. The rise of a finance and banking center without parallel in the South and the simultaneous emergence of a highly diverse but contentious ethnic mosaic are described and explained. Although Miami is like no other American city, its present condition and future course provides key lessons for other metropolitan areas and for the nation as a whole."--Provided by publisher

Book Synopsis

Over the last quarter century, no other city like Miami has rapidly transformed into a global city. The Global Edge charts the social tensions and unexpected consequences of this remarkable process of change. Acting as a follow-up to the highly successful City on the Edge, The Global Edge examines Miami in the context of globalization and scrutinizes its newfound place as a major international city. Written by two well-known scholars in the field, the book examines Miami's rise as a finance and banking center and the simultaneous emergence of a highly diverse but contentious ethnic mosaic. The Global Edge serves as a case study of Miami's present cultural, economic, and political transformation, and describes how its future course can provide key lessons for other metropolitan areas throughout the world.

From the Back Cover

"This marvelously readable account blends sociological and political analysis with an extraordinary sense of place and a feel for the life of the city. It's the best piece of urban sociology I have read in a long time."--Philip Kasinitz, Presidential Professor of Sociology, City University of New York, Graduate Center

"This is the tale of Miami's recent history: a city on the upswing, home to a mosaic of peoples. Rigorously researched, impressively informative, and wonderfully written, it should be a must-read for scholars, residents, and visitors alike."--Felicia Marie Knaul, Director, University of Miami Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas

"Miami has it all: glitter, global, and sinking. Now it also has a book that deeply investigates the migrations, politics, and economic triumphs building into climate-change disaster. A fine work of investigative scholarship that does justice to travails and problematic prospects of modern urbanism."--Harvey Molotch, coauthor of Urban Fortunes

"This is work of considerable sociological scholarship, written in a literary style that will attract all readers who wish to understand the real Miami beyond the headlines."--Charles Hirschman, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Washington

"Twenty-five years ago, City on the Edge captured the unique dynamic that had shaken and shaped twentieth-century Miami. That book's 'postscript' is now the 'prescript' for this splendid sequel, which vividly grasps the transformation of Miami into a global city perched on the edge of a treacherous future. A deeply insightful, fascinating contribution."--Rubén G. Rumbaut, coauthor ofImmigrant America: A PortraitandLegacies: The Story of the Immigrant Second Generation

Review Quotes

"A rich tapestry of the nature and culture that made Miami, in the course of the 20th century, urban, global, and disturbingly unequal."-- "American Journal of Sociology"

"A tour de force. The highly cited Alejandro Portes has made multiple lasting contributions to the study of migration, economic sociology, and Latin American development, among other fields. The Global Edge is an excellent work of social science. Portes and Argentinian senior political scientist, Ariel Armony, show their in-depth knowledge of Miami's everyday dynamics, politics, history, and economics as they develop their analysis in a style that is easily readable and deeply enjoyable. This book presents a definitive account of Miami's contemporary social history, with residents and non-residents alike gaining valuable insight into how Miami became what it is today."
-- "Sociological Forum"

"As America moves into high gear for the 2020 presidential election, Florida might again become as important as it was in the 2000 election. Especially Miami, with its Hispanics predominantly of Cuban origin, might play a critical role. This extraordinary book relates the ethnic, economic, social, political, and demographic history of how Miami became a multi-national global city."-- "Population and Development Review"

"This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Miami or the ethnic and racial transformation of contemporary cities."-- "Ethnic and Racial Studies"

About the Author

Alejandro Portes is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Princeton University, and Research Professor and Distinguished Scholar of Arts and Sciences at the University of Miami. Portes is coauthor, with Alex Stepick, of City on the Edge: The Transformation of Miami, winner of the Thomas and Znaniecki Award from the American Sociological Association, and the Anthony Leeds Award from the American Anthropological Association.

Ariel C. Armony is Vice Provost for Global Affairs, Director of the University Center for International Studies, and Professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Department of Political Science, all at the University of Pittsburgh. Armony is the author of The Dubious Link: Civic Engagement and Democratization.