ABSTRACT
One of the most significant features of the twentieth century has been the rise of government. Governments have been growing in size and importance. In centrally planned economies the government is now the principal actor in social and economic affairs. In capitalist countries the introduction of New Deals, the rise of the military-industrial complex and the growth of social welfare have extended the boundaries of government involvement. In modern capitalist society the government is a major actor. The degree of independence of urban governments from the central or federal authorities varies throughout the world. In most cases, however, ultimate power resides with central government. The rise of government in the twentieth century has been the rise of big centralised government. The main source of variation in urban spending relate to needs, resources and dispositions. Although separated by political boundaries, the central and suburban municipalities are joined by a whole series of transactions and flows.
