How does a city-state operate?

Athens had a democracy, Sparta had an oligarchy, and the others got to choose for themselves. The city is like the capital, and the surrounding areas that they have is the rest of the state. They are all in the same country, but there are no national leaders. It is a very non-federal government.

A city-state operates as an independent sovereign entity, typically consisting of a single city and its surrounding territory. It has its own government, laws, and administration, and it is responsible for providing essential services to its citizens, such as security, infrastructure, and public utilities. City-states may have various forms of government, including democracy, monarchy, or oligarchy, depending on their historical and cultural context. They may also engage in diplomatic relations with other city-states or larger nation-states, negotiating treaties, alliances, and trade agreements to further their interests and ensure their security and prosperity.