The role of catalyst organizations in the formation of metropolitan coalitions : metropolitics in Baltimore and Chicago

Abstract

An evaluation of recent "metropolitics" efforts in Baltimore and Chicago reveals several keys to success for organizations aiming to build coalitions between the inner city and declining and low-tax base suburbs. Regional catalyst organizations (RCOs) need to devise compelling metropolitics strategies, cultivate dynamic leadership, manage organizational complexity, and learn, adjust, and persevere in order to succeed in regional coalition-building efforts. In addition, RCOs face significant challenges in trying to institutionalize metropolitics work, achieve scale in building coalitions, and obtain adequate funding and resources. They must make an array of strategic decisions, including how much to pursue a conflict approach, where to build coalitions, what issues to target, whether to organize at the elite or grassroots level, and whom to partner with.