Part I. The politics of state administration -- A brief introduction to state government -- The tasks of state administrators -- The Governor as chief administrator -- The limits of legislative influence -- Exchanges between interest groups and state administrators -- "Speaking truth to power" in the state appropriations process -- Part II. The politics of city administration -- A brief introduction to city government -- Reform and rational decision making -- Influence of the chief executive on city line agencies -- Council intervention in municipal administration -- Interest group influence in city policy making -- A comparative analysis of service distribution and rule enforcement decisions in cities.