Theories dealing with the role of the state in cities vary considerably in emphasis, from traditional political matters to neo-Marxist and neo-Weberian theories accenting a broader political-economic context in analyzing the role of government in cities. This diversity of urban theories poses significant theoretical and analytical challenges, The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of government in Houston, the most extreme case of a major city which has been developed according to an accentuated ‘free market’ philosophy, in order (1) to provide empirical evidence on the complexity of the state role in supporting urban growth in the Houston metropolis; and (2) to provide additional theoretical insight into the role of the state in the city.
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