ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in various chapters of this book. This book presents results of the survey among councillors, political executives and leading bureaucrats i.e. the highest ranking appointed and not elected civil servant or employee at the second level of local government in European countries in the years 2012 and 2013. It is organized into four parts. The first part of the book focuses on counties in multi-level systems and attitudes of actors at second level of local government towards administrative and territorial reforms. The second part of the book deals with the role perception and role behaviour of actors at the second tier of local government. The third part of the book includes reflections on the political orientations of key actors, political parties and actor constellations at the second level of local government and political parties. The final part of the book deals with political socialization and recruitment, professionalization and career pattern.
