Day 13: Boardwalk Empire andRenewing Atlantic City

Daniel J. Mallinson

Political ScienceStockton University

Daniel.Mallinson@stockton.edu

POLS 3265

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Road map

Discuss Atlantic City’s past and future

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The Complex Position of LocalGovernments (Cities)

Unitary system in states, no inherent sovereignty

Democratic cities in Republican states (NJ)

Federal government increasingly circumvented states duringObama Admin

Cities fighting back: Minimum wage, bag bans, sharingeconomy, sanctuary cities

What is the promise and peril for cities in the current politicalenvironment? Should they resist state and/or federalgovernments?

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Brief History of Atlantic City

What makes Atlantic City?

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Brief History of Atlantic City

Public Space and Segregation

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Brief History of Atlantic City

Social Change

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Brief History of Atlantic City

Disneyland and Decline

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Brief History of Atlantic City

Casinos - 1976

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Brief History of Atlantic City

Renewal?

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No Competition: Other States1976

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New Competition: Other States2016 (Commercial Casinos)

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New Competition: Other States2016 (Including Indian Casinos)

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Brief History of Atlantic City

Competition

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2014-2016

5 of 12 Casinos Close

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Change in FortunesTo

tal W

in (

Mill

ions

)

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

$0$1

$2$3

$4$5

Source: Schwartz 2016, UNLV

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What Do We Do Now?

Count off into six groups. Brainstorm two concretesolutions for revitalizing Atlantic City. Keep in mind AC’spast, its identity, and think creatively about its future.

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