As sociological approach to the study of contemporary American cities is presented in this book. Present day urban institutions are examined both independently and as they interrelate. The urban polity is described as a normative derivative of the national (or societal) polity. Urban government and politics are discussed. Similarly, urban economy is presented as a normative derivative of the national economy, and the structure and organization of urban economic institutions are analyzed. Examined as secondary institutions are the family and educational systems in the urban context. A discussion of the problems of urban America follows the institutional analyses. Poverty, racism, and law and order are among the issues examined. Urban troubles are viewed as a function of a general malaise in our national culture. It is argued that in our society there is a paradox between the noninstitutionalization of inequality and the individual competition to succeed that is encouraged at many levels. Among the consequences of political and economic inequalities are poverty and racial disadvantagement. This book concludes with a thesis on the establishment response to urban problems. The prospects for future reform are discussed. An annotated bibliography of selected works on urban America is provided. (GC)