Publisher's Synopsis
This volume attempts to provide a practical discussion of local governments and the consequences of their policies for the public. Keith Hoggart discusses the general character and key issues of local politics, attempting to answer the central questions of who gets what, when, where and why.;Recognizing the need to understand the factors which shape local political systems and activity, the author examines the interaction of social structures with human agents, attributing to this relationship the dynamic nature of present day politics. The comparison of local government in Britain with that of the USA illustrates and emphasizes the national, international and historical forces which influence local policies.