Table of Contents

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.