Ferguson’s Governmental Design Failure

Guest author Eric Garland explores the governing systems at play in Ferguson.

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Idea of the Day

Idea of the Day

Since the death of Michael Brown Jr. at the hands of Police Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, unprecedented global scrutiny has descended upon St. Louis’ civic institutions. As tensions between the public and various government authorities spiraled out of control, people around the world wondered aloud, “How could this happen, who is in charge, and what must be done to restore legitimate justice and order?” In the wake of mass protests and a militarized police response, there have been no easy answers.

Now that Gov. Jay Nixon (D-MO) has declared a state of emergency in Missouri, the world is looking at the whole area surrounding St. Louis in bewilderment once more. What we are witnessing is a crisis of governmental design.

For more on this idea, please see:

Race and Beyond: Is Trouble in Ferguson a Design Failure of its Government Structure?

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