Minneapolis' formal government structure is decentralized and fragmented, an elaborate system of checks and balances aimed at diffusing power. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has been the primary political party over the last 30 years, but it has dominated a nonpartisan system that values consensual resolution of issues. City politics reflect the activities of various interest groups. Organized labor dominated between 1948 and 1955 when political power began to shift to business and civic groups interested in revitalizing the central city. Threats posed by development projects and freeway construction stimulated the growth of community groups whose influence grew in the 1970's. Crime has not been a major issue in any administration since Hubert Humphrey closed the city to underworld figures in 1948. Eric Hoyer, mayor from 1949 to 1957, addressed economic and urban renewal issues while his successor, P. K. Peterson, attacked labor's influence in politics. Mayor Arthur Naftalin, 1961-69, became enmeshed in racial issues following civil disturbances in 1966-67. Economic development and neighborhood revitalization remained the enduring issues between 1969 and 1979 when the independent conservative Charles Stenvig and liberal Democrat Albert Hofstede alternated as mayor. Crime became an issue only when it became related to another concern, such as when violations of liquor laws were explicitly connected to the downtown development program. The police department was the mayor's only source of patronage, and turnover problems were exacerbated by the 2-year mayoral terms. Politics in the development peaked during the 1970's when there were eight chiefs in 10 years. Recent reforms, notably giving the police chief a 3-year term, may reduce the role of politics in the police department. The paper contains 2 footnotes and over 30 references.