Demunicipalization as political process: Strategic action and the sale of municipal electric utilities in the United States

Cases of the demunicipalization of electric utilities in the United States are analyzed to identify political pro-cesses from a strategic action perspective (goals and frames, actors, targets for decisions, and tactics). Differences between proponents and opponents are identified. For example, supporter coalitions center on mayors and focus on economic frames. Some cases have substantial conflicts over the proposed change and the decision-making process, and seven main types of tactics are identified for both opponents and proponents. Conditions that could affect the outcome are analyzed, and implications are discussed for additional comparative research and city government policy changes.