ABSTRACT
We begin with the most basic elements of the environment of local politics, the broad and sometimes nebulous physical, social, and economic characteristics of communities. The physical setting, size, density, diversity, social psychology, and economic structures of places significantly shape their politics, providing both constraints as well as opportunities that communities must try to transcend or capitalize on. Although each of these socioeconomic characteristics will be discussed separately, we should bear in mind that they are interrelated, impacting not only local politics but one another as well. We should also think of them as variables that, in their variation from one locality to another, help us explain and understand why elements of local politics such as government structure, voter turnout, and interest group activity differ from place to place. We will refer to these characteristics in more detail in chapters to come.
