Introduction: Trends in European Local Government

Abstract

Local government is a key element in the political systems of Europe’s liberal democracies. Local government organisations provide a range of services — education, welfare, housing and transport to name but a few — which are central to the social and economic well-being of their citizens. They are large-scale spenders of public money and major sources both directly and indirectly of employment. But local government is about more than the delivery of services. It is the level of government closest to the citizen and has a role in representing the concerns and views of the locality. Local government provides an opportunity for political participation and expression that can have a pivotal role in a democratic political system.