Comparing Local Governance

BAS DENTERS is Professor of Urban Policy and Politics, University of Twente, The Netherlands

LAWRENCE E. ROSE is Professor of Political Science, University of Oslo, Norway

A broad-ranging assessment of continuities and change in local governance in the western industrialized world providing in-depth assessments by leading experts of a wide range of countries exemplifying between them the whole spectrum of types and models of local government systems and networks. A central focus is on the impact of public management reforms, new forms of community governance and changes in central-local relations.

Exceptionally broadranging assessment of local governance in the industrialized world Country chapters written by leading experts carefully structured and edited to ensure coherence Provides new insights into changes highlighting both common trends and diversity

Preface.- Local Governance in the Third Millennium: A Brave New World?; B.Denters & L.E.Rose.- France: The Intermunicipal Revolution; O.Borraz & P.Le Galès.- Italy: After the Storm; L.Bobbio.- Belgium: The Changing World of Belgian Municipalities; Y.Plees.- The Netherlands: In Search of Responsiveness; B.Denters & P.J.Klok.- The Nordic Countries: Still the 'Promised Land'?; L.E.Rose & K.Ståhlberg.- Poland: A Time of Transition; P.Swianiewicz.- Germany: A New Type of Local Government; O.W.Gabriel & S.Eisenmann.- Switzerland: Reforming Small Autonomous Municipalities; A.Ladner.- The United Kingdom: An Increasingly Differentiated Polity?; D.Wilson.- New Zealand: A Quantum Leap Forward?; G.Bush.- Australia: Still a Tale of Cinderella?; C.Aulich.- The United States: Executive Centred Politics; H.V.Savitch & R.K.Vogel.- A New Intergovernmentalism?; M.Goldsmith.- Toward Community Governance?; B Denters & L.E.Rose.