These essays explore the utility of thinking about public-private partnerships for local economic development. A theoretical examination of theories of governance, institutions and policy instruments is supplemented by empirical analysis and comparisons of their operation in the United Kingdom, Sweden and the United States in the context of debates about the 'limits of politics' and dependence on the institutions of civil society.

Acknowledgements - Notes on the Contributors - Public-Private Partnerships and Urban Governance: Introduction; J.Pierre - With a Little Help From Our Friends: Public-Private Partnerships As Institutions and Instruments; B.G.Peters - Public-Private Partnerships and Urban Governance; G.Stoker - Public-Private Partnerships as Historical Chameleons: The Case of the United States; R.A.Beauregard - Public-Private Partnerships in the UK; A.Harding - Local-to-Local Partnerships Among Swedish Municipalities: Why and How Neighbours Join to Alleviate Resource Constraints ; L.J.Lundquist - Local Industrial Partnerships: Exploring the Logics of Public-Private Partnerships; J.Pierre - Bridging Multiple Worlds: Central, Regional and Local Partners in Rural Development; B.Radin - Commentary: Public-Private Partnerships in the United States From a European Perspective; M.Keating - Commentary: Public-Private Partnerships in Europe From an American Perspective; H.Savitch - Conclusions; J.Pierre - Index

Jon Pierre is Professor of Political Science in the Department of Government at the University of Strathclyde and adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh.