Local Politics

Encompasses local government and politics in cities and towns across America. This book gives attention to the politics of suburbia, where many students live, and encourages them to become engaged in their own communities. It provides focused discussion of institutions, roles, and personalities as well as the dynamic environment of local politics.

Encompasses local government and politics in cities and towns across America. This book gives attention to the politics of suburbia, where many students live, and encourages them to become engaged in their own communities. It provides focused discussion of institutions, roles, and personalities as well as the dynamic environment of local politics.

1. Introduction to the Study of Local Politics: Why We Bother and How We Go About It; Part I. The Environment of Local Politics: Characteristics of Urban Places; 2. The Environment of Local Politics: The Geographic, Demographic, and Economic Contexts; 3. The Evolution of Urban Places: Where People Live and Why; 4 The Intergovernmental Environment of Local Politics: Creatures of the States and Supplicants of the Federal Government; Part II. Official Decision-Makers: Inside City Hall; 5. Forms of Government: From Weak Mayors and Machines to the Beginnings of Reform; 6. Reform Politics: The City Manager Form of Government and Beyond; 7. Legislators and Executives: The Balance of Power; 8. Bureaucracy: The Rest of the Iceberg; Part III. Outside City Hall: Elections, Influence, and Power; 9. Elections and Campaigns: The Voters (and the Media) Have Their Say; 10. Interest Groups in Local Politics: Types, Tactics, and Targets; 11. Community Power Structures: Official and Unofficial Decision-Makers; Part IV. Budget Politics, Public Policy, and Regional Government; 12. Budget Politics: The Getting and Spending of Money; 13. Politics and Public Policy: Some Local Issues and Battles; 14. Metropolitan Politics: The Future of Local Government.