Perceptions of Powerlessness and Political Engagement in Camden, NJ

Abstract

Camden, New Jersey is a city across the Delaware River from Philadelphia that has long held the designation of being one of the most impoverished and crime-ridden cities in the United States. Camden’s history has been marred by multiple instances of corruption and the influence of machine politics, and, to this day, many residents struggle with the residual effects. This project sets out to investigate the reasons so many residents distrust their local government, county officials, and state entities, as well as to shed some light on their perceptions of the recent developments and initiatives within the city. By contextualizing people’s lived experiences in Camden with news articles, historical accounts, and policy developments, this project attempts to create a collection of local knowledge that demonstrates the importance of community empowerment and political engagement in successful city governance.