Edward C. Banfield

Edward C. Banfield was an American political scientist, author, and professor known for his work on urban politics, public policy, and the social structure of communities. His most influential work is 'The Unheavenly City,' where he examines the causes of poverty and class differences in American cities. Banfield was a controversial figure for some of his views on social policy and urban development.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Unheavenly City

    "The Unheavenly City" is a sociological analysis of urban life in the United States during the mid-20th century. The book examines the problems faced by cities and their residents, including poverty, crime, and racial tensions. The author argues that these issues are largely due to cultural and behavioral differences among social classes rather than economic inequality. He suggests that long-term planning and delayed gratification, traits more common in higher social classes, lead to better outcomes than the short-term focus often seen in lower social classes. The book's controversial views sparked debates about urban policy and social inequality.