A detailed examination of the complex relationship between national and local governments in Europe, with a focus on England, France, Belgium, and Prussia. The author, a renowned economist and social reformer, analyzes the funding and administration of various public services, including education, health care, and transportation. He also makes policy recommendations aimed at ensuring greater efficiency, equity, and democratic participation in the allocation of public resources. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of public finance and the role of government in society. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.