Urban Politics in America

Three-fourths of the population resides in urban areas which range in size and character from isolated communities of 2 ,500 residents to such a massive sprawling megalopolis as New York City . Politics , in its broadest sense , deals with the structure of government , the factors which determine this structure , the methods of public decision making the administration of these decisions , and the problems with which they deal . Urban Politics in America is addressed to all these aspects of politics in all types and sizes of urban communities . It yields a number of insights

into this diverse and complex subject but falls short in the larger task of providing an interpretive framework for analysis

The book opens with a ritualistic review of the history of the city and a discussion of the differing perspectives of the various social sciences . Having paid homage to the sacred cow of urbanologists , the systems approach the author proceeds into his political analysis , which incorporates only the most superficial references to economics sociology , psychology , and demography . Substantive discussion begins in the second chapter , which is devoted to the city state relationship The legal status of local government is discussed , contrasting the ideas of home rule and state sovereignty . The conclusion is the pragmatic considerations have carried the day , and that city governments have been delegated certain rights and responsibilities based on the functions they perform most effectively . Though there is some discussion of the problem of rural overrepresentation in state legislatures , the conflicts between mayors and governors...