Waterfront Ideology

For the past year and a half, my hometown of Alexandria has been in a dispute over the possible rezoning of valuable waterfront properties, currently parks, in favor of building more hotels. This topic exemplifies the complex relationship between ideology and economic interest that, according to Kalt and Zupan, both have strong influence on politicians decision.

The most recent elected Councilwoman Allison Silberberg is publicly against this rezoning: “’We should pause and get it right,’ she said, … She added later that the process should be opened up so ‘citizens are involved from the outset’ and that she would not like to see rezoning of the waterfront.”

Rezoning the Alexandria waterfront would raise the current restriction of hotels, undoubtedly creating economic surplus for the already tourist-driven destination. However, as votes, and countless petitions prove, the members of the Alexandria community do not vote with only economic interest in mind. In fact, for the elected candidates to be acting based on economic interest would be considered shirking, or misrepresenting the people.