God and Government in the Ghetto
The Politics of Church-State Collaboration in Black America
- Contents
- Review Quotes

Introduction
Part One: Scope and Theory of Church-State Collaboration
1 The Extent and Support of African American Churches’ Collaboration with Government
2 The Volition to Collaborate with Government
Part Two: The Social and Political Context of New York City
3 Public Policy and Black Neighborhood Decline
4 Faith in Action for Neighborhood Redemption
Part Three: Inside Church-State Collaboration
5 Partnering with Caesar
6 Acquiring Resources for Neighborhood Resurrection
7 Complementing Collaboration
Conclusion
Research Note
Notes
References
Index
“This exceptional book will be crucial for those of us who study black politics. In this era of strange alliances between the Republican right and black Christian fundamentalists, research that illuminates how the formerly contentious and confrontational black church has adapted to certain political realities has cutting-edge relevancy.”
“God and Government in the Ghetto is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the political significance of contemporary African-American churches. Without a hint of sentimentality or nostalgia for an idealized ‘black church,’ Owens lays bare the contributions, challenges, and contradictions inherent in collaborative efforts among black churches and state structures. It is a refreshing analysis and a timely contribution in a critical moment.”
“Owens provides a theoretically rich study that considers how activist black churches collaborate with local governments, demonstrating how collaboration can create a ‘third wave’ of church-based activism in black communities today. God and Government in the Ghetto documents this alternative form of activism like no other study has done before. It is an important scholarly work that will inform policymakers and practitioners alike.”
Political Science: Public Policy | Race and Politics | Urban Politics
Religion: Religion and Society
Sociology: Race, Ethnic, and Minority Relations | Urban and Rural Sociology
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