Who Will Govern Metropolitan Regions in the 21st Century?, Published Paper in 2008, by Armonk, New Yok: M. E. Sharpe, Donald Phares, editor Who Will Govern Metropolitan Regions in the 21 st Century Why Metropolitan Governance Is Growing as is the Need For Elastic Governments Mark S. Rosentraub and Wasim Al-Habil Introduction For some students of urban governance, the consistent infatuation with calls for consolidated governments and more regional cooperation among local governments from numerous community leaders generate wry smiles. With a consistency that has become predictable, metropolitan regions experiencing stagnating economic conditions, those suffering through a decline, and even those experiencing rapid growth are peppered with proposals calling for the consolidation of local governments. While economic conditions might vary what has a recurring consistency is the view that fewer governments and a concentration of political authority will lead to more effective responses to economic development and the management of congestion and growth-related environmental issues. To be sure in some regions – as illustrated in other chapters – political culture and history engendered different perspectives. In St. Louis there were waves of interest in restructuring government – far more than would emerge in Greater Cleveland – but like what took place in Northeast Ohio, local governments remained independent. However, 1