"For the first time in human history, more people live in urban rather than rural areas; the number of metropolitan cities in developing countries far exceeds those in advanced economies; and the governance of megacities is of greater importance as national finances have become more precarious. This book skillfully weaves together the theory and history of metropolitan financial governance in Brazil, India, and China, among other countries. The authors address the politics of metropolitan government, the mysteries of the underutilized instrument of the property tax, and the question of financing urban infrastructure. This is an indispensable volume for policy makers and for those who are about the future of metropolitan cities."

Roy Bahl is regents professor of economics emeritus at Georgia State University.

Johannes F. Linn is a senior resident fellow at the Emerging Markets Forum and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Deborah L. Wetzel is country director for Brazil at The World Bank.