The Politics of Subnational Governance is a collection of up-to-date articles on state and local government. Part I, Intergovernmental Relations, traces the development of national-state relations from 1789 until 1988, with special emphasis on state-local relations and interstate relations. Part II, State Constitutions, explores judicial federalism and activism, and explains the organizational and fiscal principles of a selection of state constitutions. Part III, Politics of State Government, includes readings on state government ranging from election campaigns to legislative-gubernatorial relations and small claims courts. Part IV, Politics of Local Government, deals with state restraints on local discretionary authority, state mandates, the New England town meeting, city manager government, small towns, charter reform, alternative electoral systems, evolving decentralization in New York City, and rationalization of functional assignments.