Local Governments in the United States

Local Governments and State Governments

See cross references to the main entries:

Other Local Governments

The federal, state and local governments covered here by no means include the whole spectrum of American governmental units. The U.S. Bureau of the Census (part of the Commerce Department) has identified no less than 78,218 local governmental units in the United States, including counties, municipalities, townships, school districts and special districts.

Americans have come to rely on their governments to perform a wide variety of tasks which, in the early days of the republic, people did for themselves. In colonial days, there were few policemen or firemen, even in the large cities; governments provided neither street lights nor street cleaners. To a large extent, a man protected his own property and saw to his family’s needs.

Now, meeting these needs is seen as the responsibility of the whole community, acting through government. Even in small towns, the police, fire, welfare and health department functions are exercised by governments. Hence, the bewildering array of jurisdictions. (1)

Local Governments Topics

Relations between State and Local Governments: The Home Court (Dis)Advantage

Carol S. Weissert and Jessica L. Ice, in the chapter “Relations between State and Local Governments: The Home Court (Dis)Advantage” of the Oxford Handbook of State and Local Government, offers some insight and critically assesses the situation and current state of scholarship on the topic. The following is a summary:This chapter reviews research on relations between state and local governments. The authors focus on the different types of local governmental units and their relationship to the state, decentralization and local autonomy, and state oversight and funding in policy implementation. The authors summarize the strengths and weaknesses of research on state–local relationships and offer suggestions for future research questions.

Local Governments (Sovereign Immunity)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of local governments. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Sovereign Immunity is provided. Finally, the subject of Admiralty Law in relation with local governments is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Local Governments (Sovereign Liability)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of local governments. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Sovereign Liability is provided. Finally, the subject of Admiralty Law in relation with local governments is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Resources

Notes and References

“An outline of American government” (1980), by Richard C. Schroeder

Local Governments