Cooperation and Conflict between State and Local Government

This book introduces students to the complex landscape of state-local intergovernmental relations today. Each chapter illustrates conflict and cooperation for policy problems including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental regulation, marijuana regulation, and government management capacity. The contributors, leading experts in the field, help students enhance their understanding of the importance of state-local relations in the U.S. federal system, argue for better analysis of the consequences of state-local relations for the quality of policy outcomes, and introduce them to public service career opportunities in state and local government.

Eric S. Zeemering is associate professor and MPA Director in the School of Public and International Affairs, Department of Public Administration and Policy at the University of Georgia. He is former chair of the American Society for Public Administration’s Section on Intergovernmental Administration and Management. He is the author of Collaborative Strategies for Sustainable Cities: Economy, Environment and Community in Baltimore (Routledge) and writes about local governance and intergovernmental relations.