Local politics a practical guide to governing at the grassroots

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction to the study of local politics : why we bother and how we go about it -- The environment of local politics : the geographic, demographic, and economic Contexts -- The evolution of urban places : where people live and why -- The intergovernmental environment of local politics : creatures of the states and supplicants of the federal government -- Forms of government : from weak mayors and machines to the beginnings of reform -- Reform politics : the city-manager form of government and beyond -- Legislators and executives : the balance of power -- Bureaucracy : the rest of the iceberg -- Elections and campaigns : the voters (and the media) have their say -- Interest groups in local politics : types, tactics, and targets -- Community power structures : official and unofficial decision makers -- Budget politics : the getting and spending of money -- Politics and public policy : some local issues and battles -- Metropolitan politics : the future of local government.