Includes bibliographical references and index.

The study of local government today -- Units of local government -- Forms of government within local units -- Limits on state control of municipalities : inherent home rule -- Limits on state control of municipalities : specific constitutional limitations -- Limits on state control of municipalities : constitutional and statutory home rule -- Relationship of municipalities to federal government -- Powers of municipalities -- Delegation of powers -- Municipal legislation : requirement of definiteness and certainty -- Municipal legislation : forms and procedures for enactment -- Territorial composition of municipalities -- Public officers -- Public employees -- Finances of local governments -- Local inducements to business and industry -- Local operation of utilities -- Local control of the use of property : zoning and related methods -- Municipal acquisition of property : eminent domain and other methods -- Urban renewal and public housing -- "Planning" at the local level -- Efforts to establish "new towns" -- Local regulation of trade, business, and other enterprises -- Local controls on criminal activity -- Local contractual and quasi-contractual liability -- Local government liability in tort and related theories -- Extraordinary actions and remedies as to local governments.