Adaptation of Models versus Variations in Form: Classifying Structures of City Government

A great deal of variability exists in American local government structures. It would be useful to analyze the differences in outcomes associated with different structures, but two factors stand in the way. First, there is no agreement about how to classify city governments. Second, many of the components used in existing classifications are inaccurately reported or missing in survey data. In this research note, a new classification system based on three easily determined components is developed and used to measure the current distribution of forms and variations in an expanded dataset that includes almost all cities over 10,000 in population

Form of Government Still Matters: Fostering Innovation in U.S. Municipal Governments

Using data on the adoption of e-government, reinventing government, and strategic practices, and the Nelson and Svara (2010) typology of municipal government form, the authors investigate the characteristics of municipal governments that are related to the implementation of innovative practices. The authors find that higher innovation rates are associated with council-manager governments—both with and without an elected mayor, higher population, greater growth, lower unemployment, sunbelt location, and higher population density. Controlling for all other variables, form of government (and variations within form) account for the greatest explanation of the adoption of innovative practices in municipalities. The authors conclude that form of government remains an important variable to consider when investigating local government management and performance

Regional Councils and Regional Action in North Carolina: Past, Present, and Prospects

The vitality of North Carolina depends on strong and vibrant regions. Regions are the interconnected places where people live, work, and recreate. They are also the places where local government problems like environmental protection, traffic, and solid waste spill across municipal boundaries and become shared concerns. More and more one hears the opinion that independent but interrelated places must develop the capacity to work together if these problems are to be addressed and a desired future is to be secured. To paraphrase an old saying about the United Nations, if regions didn't exist, we would have to create them

Social Equity Is a Pillar of Public Administration

Administration. ” We conclude with an operational definition of social equity for public administrators. James H. Svara teaches administrative ethics and the doctoral course in foundations of publi