The ideology of “privatism”, the complete rejection of any civil liability towards public interests, guided the development of American cities in the 19th century. It was this ideology that limited the government’s role in urban development. This article aims to demonstrate that the “new governance” of American cities today, resulting from neo-liberal theories of empowerment and withdrawal from the state, has its roots in the ideology of privatisation and fear of urban planning of the 19th century. “Privatism” – understood as the rejection of any civil responsibility towards public interest – dominated the development of American cities in the nineteeth century. Such an an ideology limited the role of local governments in urban development and decision-making. This article wishes to clarify that today’s urban governance – based on Neoliberalism and theories of “empowerment” – is rooted in nineteeth centuries’ privatism and fear of urban planning.