This text investigates the intersection of economic theory and public policy within the context of metropolitan development and urban governance. Robert L. Bish, an established scholar in public administration and urban economics, utilizes neoclassical economic frameworks to evaluate how local government structures influence the efficiency and equity of public service delivery. The book argues that urban policy must be analyzed through the lens of public choice theory to understand the incentives driving municipal decision-making and resource allocation.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the economic logic behind local government organization and policy implementation. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a basic understanding of microeconomic principles to fully grasp the author's arguments.