Arnold Fleischmann & Timothy B. Krebs 
Understanding Urban Politics 
Institutions, Representation, and Policies

In Understanding Urban Politics: Institutions, Representation, and Policies, Timothy B. Krebs and Arnold Fleischmann introduce a framework that focuses on the role of institutions in establishing the political ’;rules of the game, ’ the representativeness of city government, the influence of participation in local democracy, and how each of these features influences the adoption and implementation of public policies. Part 1 lays the groundwork for the rest of the book by exploring the many meanings of ’;urban, ’ analyzing what local governments do, and providing a history of American urban development.Part 2 examines the organizations and procedures that are central to urban politics and policy making: intergovernmental relations, local legislatures, and the local executive branch. Part 3 looks at elections and voting, local campaigns, and non-voting forms of participation. The four chapters in Part 4 focus on the policy process and the delivery of local services, local government finances, ’;Building the City’ (economic development, land use, and housing), and policies affecting the quality of life (public safety, the environment, ’;morality’ issues, and urban amenities).Krebs and Fleischmann bolster students’ learning and skills with guiding questions at the start of each chapter, which ends with key terms, a summary, discussion questions, and research exercises. The appendix and website aid these efforts, as does a website for instructors.