New Books Network Mirya Holman, "The Hidden Face of Local Power: Appointed Boards and the Limits of Democracy" (Temple UP, 2025)
Dec 14, 2025
Dr. Mirya Holman, a public policy scholar and author of "The Hidden Face of Local Power," discusses the pivotal role of appointed boards in U.S. local politics. She reveals how strong boards consolidate power and cater to the elite, while weak boards create an illusion of inclusion without genuine influence. Holman highlights the racial disparities in board representation and offers insights into the mechanisms of power maintenance. Her research invites listeners to reconsider the true nature of democracy at the municipal level and suggests reforms for equitable governance.
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Discovering Hidden Boards In New Orleans
- Mirya Holman recounts being asked to list New Orleans' appointed board members and finding the city lacked a complete roster.
- She discovered outdated application forms and opaque processes that signaled boards were low priority administratively.
Research From Inside A Board
- Holman describes sitting on an appointed board and doing participant observation to understand decision processes.
- Watching technical meetings (e.g., transportation) revealed how members view their roles and make routine policy choices.
Two Distinct Board Types
- Holman identifies two board types: strong boards with policymaking power and weak advisory boards lacking enforceable authority.
- Strong boards control resources and policy while weak boards can be overruled or serve only advisory roles.
