Describes cities as sovereign territorial systems engaging in political struggles with other sovereignties such as states, dominating their physical environment, and exercising jurisdiction over people and institutions within their boundaries. Calls for a more comprehensive history of the city and its residents. (CJS)

The various forms of oppression in urban daily life include oppression in living conditions, production, consumption, and use of space, and ideological oppression. Responding to this oppression is a "subversive" culture. Based on individual and group awareness of creative potential, it opposes oppression and is the source of change. (CS)