Over the past two decades, research on the globalization of urban development and the rise of global cities has shed new light on the conditions of local democracy and opportunities for democratic urban citizenship. Among its contributions, this research has revealed that pro-business local governments have promoted globally oriented development to the exclusion of more representative or inclusive politics, thus hindering opportunities for democratic participation (Brenner 2004; Fainstein 2001; Logan and Molotch 1987; Swyngedouw 1996). Meanwhile, a second strand of research has revealed that global cities may actually be creating the conditions for otherwise disenfranchised groups to enact citizenship claims and gain a democratic voice (Boudreau 2000; Brodie 2000; Holston 2008; Isin 2000; Sassen 2002, 2006).