Berman (political science, Arizona State U.) analyzes intergovernmental power conflicts between local governments and state governments in the United States. He first explores broad interactions between the federal, state, and local governments and the conflicts between state governments and large city governments. He then turns his attention to more specific disputes related to regulation, control over money, and the legal restructuring of local governments. He argues that a case can be made that moves should be made towards greater local autonomy. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR