Local government is a form of
public administration which, in a majority of contexts, exists as the lowest tier of administration within a given state. The term is used to contrast with offices at
state level, which are referred to as the
central government,
national government, or (where appropriate)
federal government and also to
supranational government which deals with governing institutions between states. Local governments generally act within powers delegated to them by legislation or directives of the higher level of government. In
federal states, local government generally comprises the third (or sometimes fourth) tier of government, whereas in
unitary states, local government usually occupies the second or third tier of government, often with greater powers than higher-level administrative divisions.
