Is governance the lost hard "G" in Los Angeles?

The scope of governing in the LA region is quite broad, encompassing regional, county, city, and community institutions and processes. The paradox of governance is that rather than acting in concert, these various institutions and processes often manifest conflicting and competing interests. Demographic changes, power struggles between the various governing institutions, and the continuation of "downtown"-oriented politics have created a volatile political environment. The language and symbols of community empowerment, without true representation and participation, have been the legacy of governing LA, This article charts the course of governance in LA, briefly focusing on the significant issues at the regional, county, city, and finally returning the community level to clarify the preconditions for returning governance to its rightful position in the discussion of governing this city. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.