Local governments throughout the west are undergoing a transformation of their leadership styles and structures. Some countries have abandoned traditional systems of collective or committee based decision-making in favour of Cabinet models or, more radically, a directly-elected executive mayor, while others have strengthened existing mayoral systems. There are a few exceptions to this trend. Based on original research in eleven countries the book assesses these changes in terms of their implications for political accountability, the role of lay politicians, political recruitment, the professionalization of leadership, and relations with the bureaucracy.

Índice:
List of Tables
List of Figures
Acknowldgements
Institutional Reforms in Local Government: A Comparative Framework; R.Berg & N.Rao
The Reform of the Political Executive in Dutch Local Government; B.Denters, P.J.Klok & H.van der Kolk
The Directly-elected Executive Mayor in German Local Government; H.Wollmann
From Committees to Leaders and Cabinets: The British Experience; N.Rao
From Aldermen to Ministers: The Oslo Model; H.Baldersheim
Municipal Presidentialism and Democratic Consolidation in Spain; J.M.Ferran & X.B.Horta
From Cabinets to Committees; The Danish Experience R.Berg
Laymen and Executives in Swiss Local Government; A.Ladner
The Swedish Model: Many Actors and a Few Strong Leaders; S.Montin
Institutional Form and Political Leadership in American City Government; J.H.Svara
The Powerful French Mayor: Myth and Reality; E.Kerrouche
Transformation of the Political Executive in Belgian Local Government; J.Ackaert
Institutions Count But Resources Decide: American Mayors and the Limits of Formal Structure; C.N.Stone
Transforming Political Leadership