Comparative Urban Politics and Interorganisational Behaviour

Abstract

Lima, Peru, has no city government. The central city is divided into several municipalities including a portion governed by Lima Province.¹ Similarly, Valencia, Venezuela, is largely governed by a variety of central government agencies over which the local authority exercises limited influence.² In contrast, Zagreb, Yugoslavia, has a metropolitan area government which can vote its own budgets, pass laws and establish agencies without central control.³ In Calcutta, India, the chief executive is appointed by the state government, but locally elected councillors have considerable voice in a variety of administrative matters and personnel appoint- ments, decisions in Calcutta reflecting these two apparently evenly balanced actors.⁴ In Lodz, Poland, however, local decisions are largely made in central departments, and in conflicts between the local council and ministerial orders, the latter tend to dominate.⁵