Local Democracy in Post-Communist Europe - 2 (2003 edition.)

This book is the first volume of aseries that aims at taking stock of the status of local democracy at the beginning of a new century.

Modern local govern- th me nt is largely a 19 century invention in response to processes of urbanisa- tion and industrialisation.

It became charged with the mundane tasks of pav- ing and lighting streets, collecting refuse and providing clean water and sanitary sewerage, sometimes also acquiring a role in education and health.

Anyone who has experienced a breakdown in such services knows how es- sential they are to civilised life in urban society.

Urban civilisation could simply not exist without working municipalities.

The importance of munici- pal functions ensures that the control over the municipality becomes a vital political issue.

In most countries, democratisation of local government pre- ceded and was an important step towards a fuH national democracy.

Munici- palities offered potential for the realisation of democratic citizenship at a comprehensible level of government and also became training grounds for participation in democracy on a larger scale.

As institutions of the industrial era, local governments may not necessarily be able to respond adequately to the needs and aspirations of citizens of a post-industrial and global age.

There are signs that citizens in a number of countries are loosing patience with local government.

However, many municipalities also seek to open up new chan- nels of participation for and communication with citizens.