Christopher R. Friedrichs is Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. His previous books include The Early Modern City, 1450–1750 (Longman, 1995).

'Clear, stimulating and full of good things despite its short length: I particularly liked the balance between generalisations and specific examples. It deserves to become a standard work.' - Prof David M. Palliser

• Series editors’ preface 1 Urban politics 2 Who governed? 3 Interests and issues 4 Forms of political action 5 Escalation and intervention 6 Urban politics and the state. Epilogue

Christopher R. Friedrichs is Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. His previous books include The Early Modern City, 1450–1750 (Longman, 1995).

'Clear, stimulating and full of good things despite its short length: I particularly liked the balance between generalisations and specific examples. It deserves to become a standard work.' - Prof David M. Palliser

• Series editors’ preface 1 Urban politics 2 Who governed? 3 Interests and issues 4 Forms of political action 5 Escalation and intervention 6 Urban politics and the state. Epilogue

Christopher R. Friedrichs is Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. His previous books include The Early Modern City, 1450–1750 (Longman, 1995).

'Clear, stimulating and full of good things despite its short length: I particularly liked the balance between generalisations and specific examples. It deserves to become a standard work.' - Prof David M. Palliser

• Series editors’ preface 1 Urban politics 2 Who governed? 3 Interests and issues 4 Forms of political action 5 Escalation and intervention 6 Urban politics and the state. Epilogue