ABSTRACT
First, in general terms, the survey is relatively analytical rather than descriptive. There is comparatively little discussion, for ex ample, of various applied policy problems. Aside from space constraints, this decision is based on a desire to avoid detailed treatm ent of country-specific (or, indeed, state, province, or cityspecific) issues and institutional structures. Somewhat for the same reason, there is relatively little discussion of empirical results. A t the same time, the field of urban public finance derives much of its importance and interest from the many policy issues, and the many opportunities for empirical work, that it offers. Thus, we do refer, at least briefly, to some of the relevant empirical literature, especially where empirical work has prom pted extensions and revisions of theoretical models. Similarly, much of the theoretical work that we review has clearly been motivated by a desire to illuminate actual policy issues. It is hoped, therefore, that the survey will at least impart some sense of the interplay between theoretical, empirical, and policy analysis.
