ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the initial impact of urbanization and industrialization on the local governmental units of eighteen minor civil divisions in Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In 1950, the base year for the analysis of social change, Lower Bucks County not only lacked any sense of overall community solidarity, but in the early stages of urbanization there was a minimum of cooperation, even between contiguous minor civil divisions. Although there was much local criticism of the Philadelphia Housing Association’s proposal to incorporate all of Lower Bucks County into one municipality, there are many arguments in favor of this solution. In addition, while part-time officials both legislate and administer governmental affairs in the existing minor civil divisions, a large municipality would be able to employ full-time, professionally trained personnel in administrative positions. Incipient urbanization has introduced many new problems in local government. On the whole, government is playing a larger role in the life of each local community.
