ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces the theories of decentralized government and administrative decentralization. It focuses on political economic theory and its application to an urban redevelopment project. The book discusses the concept of legal authority and the tools of eminent domain and police power. It examines a city public policy-making process and model. The book provides a study of how expectancy theory, equity theory, and the concept of prevailing wage may be applied to public personnel compensation systems. It presents problems that occurred when the formal organizational structure between a city board and a city council was not clearly delineated. The book explores the concepts of universalism and individualism and their application to government decision making. It reviews strategic decision-making models and explains the concept of externalities. The book describes financial and accounting management measures of a local airport authority.
