France has always sought a middle way between the trend towards local freedoms and respect for national unity. A complex administrative edifice has thus been built up through juxtaposition of three levels of local government (communes, départements, régions) without any form of hierarchy : it may be difficult for anybody to untangle their different roles in the general administration of the country.

This book describes the organisation of local authorities, their powers and means. Topics discussed include the basic principles of decentralisation in France, the financial resources of local authorities and the structures of co-operation within local government.