British & Irish, Social Sciences, Sociology 

In this study of busy, complex Regional City -- and it is a real city -- the author has analyzed the power structure from top to bottom. He has searched out the men of power and, under fictitious names, has described them as they initiate policies in their offices, their homes, their clubs. They form a small, stable group at the top of the social structure. Their decision-making activities are not known to the public, but they are responsible for whatever is done, or not done, in their community.<br/><br/>Beneath this top policy group is a clearly marked social stratification, through which decisions sift down to the substructures chosen to put them into effect. The dynamic relations within the power structure are made clear in charts, but the real interest lies in the author's report of what people themselves say. The African American community is also studied, with its own power structure and its own complicated relations with the large community. The method of study is fully described in an Appendix. 

Introduction -- Location of power in regional city -- What some leaders are like -- The structure of power in regional city -- Power structure of a sub-community -- Regional city in political perspective -- The more private aspects of power -- Projects, issues, and policy -- The organized community and the individual. 

Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-289).