ABSTRACT
Urban local government has almost invariably always been subsidiary to some larger unit, however, and its nature and operations have been largely shaped from above. Most urban local governments date back no further than the late nineteenth century in the advanced industrial countries, by which time strong central states had been established and local urban autonomy was relatively weak. Urban local government, therefore, must be studied as part of the state apparatus which exists to advance the twin goals of a capitalist society, accumulation and legitimation. The main expenditure functions of the state, local governments have been allocated important roles in social consumption and social expenses. Most of their activities and spending focus on the reproduction of the labour force and the maintenance of social harmony. The government of an urban area in a prosperous region is probably better able to raise property taxes and finance expenditure than is one in a declining area.
