Part 1 The potential for cross-national learning: local economic policy formation - setting an agenda for development research, David Fasenfest; cross-national comparisons of urban economic programs - is policy transfer possible, H. Wolman. Part 2 Policy formation - what kind and for whom: the concept of local economic development policy - some fundamental questions, K. Cox; turning the tide? the impact of urban and regional regeneration initiative in Northeast England, A. Amin and J. Tomaney; African-American elected officials and the future of progressive political movements, R. Mier, J. Fitzgerald and L. Randolph; industrial diversification as economic policy, R. Beauregard; a tale of three (British) cities - economic development politics in Cardiff, Leeds and Glasgow, P. Meyer. Part 3 Business or community - choosing a focus: business involvement in local economic regeneration, A. Eisenshitz; community development or business promotion - a look at sport-led economic development in Chicago, J. Pelissero, B. Henschen and E. Sidlow; community-based economic development - the British experience, R. MacFarlane; the dialogical community - creating rational urban economic futures, R. Vogel and B. Swanson; third sector enterprises in the United Kingdom and Australia, J. Brown.

Identifies the main considerations in the policy formation process, isolates cross-national commonalities and differences, and discusses the potential for cross-national local economic development policy transfer. The articles examine local economic developments from a comparative perpective.