In government, influence denotes one’s ability to get others to act, think, or feel as one intends. A mayor who persuades voters to approve a bond issue exercises infl uence. A businessman whose promises of support induce a mayor to take action exercises infl uence. In Political Infl uence, Edward C. Banfi eld examines the structures and dynamics of infl uence in determining who actually makes the decisions on vital issues in a large metropolitan area. This edition includes an introduction by James Q. Wilson, who provides an intellectual profi le of Banfi eld and a review of his life and work.