More than a century after muckraking journalist Lincoln Steffens derided
the city of Philadelphia as being "corrupt and contented," Philadelphia
struggles to rise above this unfortunate characterization.
Philadelphia, Corrupt and Consentingis the story of a city's
confrontation with a history that threatens its future. Author Brett
Mandel, who has been a reform-oriented government official and political
insider, provides a detailed account of the corruption investigation of
John Dougherty, one of the city's most powerful political figures, in
order to expose and explore networks of corruption.
He examines the costs of corruption, both financial and nonpecuniary,
and considers the opportunity cost that corruption imposes. Mandel
explores the nature and development of Philadelphia's unique culture of
corruption, emphasizing how machine politics and self-dealing are
entwined with city history, creating a culture that allows corruption to
thrive. In addition, he provides practical, achievable policies and
actions that can produce positive change in Philadelphia and elsewhere.
Mandel seeks to provide insight into how our collective actions or
inattention give consent to the corruption, as well as its roots and
effects, and the reasons for its persistence. Philadelphia, Corrupt and
Consenting is a critique, but above all, it is a call to action.
