Abstract
Traditionally, intergovernmental relationships between local governments have been characterized by cooperation. This article argues that cities and counties compete as well as cooperate. Numerous cases of competition between cities and counties in the areas of economic development, fiscal resources, intergovernmental aid, civic pride, and territory are presented to support the idea of intergovernmental competition at the local level. The article ends with a brief discussion on the implications of the existence of competition for intergovernmental management, urban governance, and pubic policy.