The Pragmatist

What happens when New York City's tradition of progressive mayoral priorities collides with a much changed political landscape, where Washington offers less of a helping hand and the search for resources necessitates increasing dependence on the private sector? That's the challenge facing Mayor Bill de Blasio, compellingly probed by Joseph Viteritti. The Pragmatist is deeply engrossing local history at its best, but it also sheds light on a larger national story that Americans are facing everywhere. -- Lizabeth Cohen, Dean, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Howard Mumford Jones Professor of American Studies at Harvard University, author of A Consumers' Republic Written with wit and incredible insights, Viteritti examines the career of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a man who espouses progressivism but practices serviceable pragmatism. This book is required reading for city reformers, journalists, scholars and aspiring politicians who find themselves in the baffling environment of New York City politics. -- Wilbur C. Rich, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Wellesley College, author of David Dinkins and New York City Politics Are progressive cities possible? Joseph Viteritti, one of the country's foremost urban scholars, has written a fascinating study of a mayor, a city, and the future of progressive politics in the United States. Full of historical detail, The Pragmatist is the first full-fledged account of Bill de Blasio's political career and mayoralty to this point. Deeply informed and elegantly written, The Pragmatist crackles with insights on every page. -- Richard Schragger, Perre Bowen Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law; author of City Power Insightful... [Viteritti] cogently places Mr. de Blasio in context... --Sam Roberts, New York Times A well-documented, academic description and analysis... Professor Viteritti places Mayor de Blasio within the legacy of progressive politics in New York City going back to Mayor La Guardia. In doing so Viteritti joins the company of New York exceptionalists, suggesting that the phenomena of Bill de Blasio is indigenous to New York. --Bruce Berg, Gotham Sharp insights into our current moment...essential to understanding New York politics in the early twenty-first century. -- Mason Williams, Dissent Joseph P. Viteritti, an astute public policy professor at Hunter College, has written an early book about de Blasio's mayoralty that wisely situates the liberal mayor in the context of New York's volatile past ..... Viteritti is clear-eyed about the accomplishments and sober about the challenges de Blasio still faces. -- Ross Barkan, Village Voice