| 1. |
- Airaksinen, Jenni, et al.
(författare)
-
Perceptions of power in regional networks : a nordic comparative analysis
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - London : Routledge. - 0300-3930 .- 1743-9388. ; 35:5, s. 595-614
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this article is to explore the differentiated attitudes towards power in Nordic regional networks. The analysis draws upon a unique comparative survey targeting regional network participants in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Three specific issues of power are studied: (1) the perceived influence of different actors in regional networks, (2) the perceived mandate of network members, and (3) the perceived impact of networks on regional development. When searching for the national political specifics that might determine participants' different attitudes, State administrative traditions and regional institutional set-ups are of particular interest. While regional governance in all countries is going through a period of transformative flux, the results show strong association with historical paths. The western countries' networks are characterised by less State influence, more influence by regional stakeholders, greater discretionary power of network members, and they are perceived to have more of an impact on regional development than their eastern counterparts. The results suggest that networks do not represent dichotomous alternatives to formal institutions of regional policy-making, but that they are linked to them in complex ways.
|
|
| 2. |
- Bergström, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
-
Through a glass darkly: Leadership complexity in Swedish local government
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0300-3930 .- 1743-9388. ; 34:2, s. 203-220
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- New management ideas aim to change the roles of local government politicians and administrators. The new ideas are poorly adjusted to the traditional role of councillors that was built on detailed knowledge and active participation in administrative practice. Leadership has now become even more full of contradictions; many demands are hard to reconcile. But, if any managers are good at handling complexity, it should be those in the local government sector. This article discusses, based on experiences from Sweden, how the complex interface between politics and administration is, or could be, handled by a dialogue between central actors.
|
|
| 3. |
- Erlingsson, Gissur Ólafur, et al.
(författare)
-
Public Corruption in Swedish Municipalities : Trouble Looming on the Horizon
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - : Routledge. - 1743-9388 .- 0300-3930. ; 34:5, s. 595-608
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the 1990s, several public corruption scandals were uncovered in Sweden. This article focuses specifically on local corruption, and our purpose is to examine whether a case can be made that problems of public corruption in Swedish municipalities have increased. By applying instruments from the institutional rational choice framework, we reach the conclusion that there are indeed reasons to suspect that retrenchment initiatives and organisational reforms over the last two decades, often labelled 'new public management', have increased the risk of corruption. Although hard empirical data do not yet exist, the suspicion that public corruption in Swedish municipalities may have become an increasing problem cannot be disregarded. Hence, we conclude by calling for further empirical research in this field.
|
|
| 4. |
- Granberg, Mikael
(författare)
-
Local Governance 'in Swedish'? : Globalisation, Local Welfare Government and Beyond
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - London : Routledge. - 0300-3930 .- 1743-9388. ; 34:3, s. 363-377
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this article local governance in the Swedish context is discussed. A case study of a Swedish city is framed in its historical, national and international context. By locating the redevelopment of an old harbour within a historical context, new insights are brought into the understanding of local governance. Cities are indeed nested. Deteriorating public finances, the deregulation of the economy (nationally and globally), the changed status of the welfare state, the restructuring of industry and the neo-liberal wave all taken together form a formidable challenge. A radical questioning of the values, principles and forms of the Swedish welfare state has tangible impacts on local governance. It is concluded that Swedish municipal actors face the dual challenge of acting efficiently (being sensitive to the needs and demands of local elites), while keeping democratic legitimacy (being sensitive to the needs and demands of all citizens).
|
|
| 5. |
- Hall, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
-
Is there a Nordic Approach to Questions of Democracy in Studies of Network Governance?
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - : Routledge. - 0300-3930 .- 1743-9388. ; 35:5, s. 515-538
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The notion of democratic network governance has attracted growing interest among students of local and regional governance in all the Nordic countries since the 1990s. This article examines whether research in this area reflects a particular Nordic account of democracy. The Nordic countries have strong traditions of local autonomy, local networks and the inclusion of civil society associations. The authors find reason to expect that the Nordic traditions of local and regional governance may have stimulated a common approach to democracy questions with the features of an integrative perspective. At the same time, the differences in the history of democratisation are likely to have urged the approach in different directions. Using evidence from a literature review, the article suggests that, rather than a fully fledged theory, democracy with an intriguing potential and with nuances exists as an issue in the Nordic governance studies.
|
|
| 6. |
- Louglin, John, et al.
(författare)
-
The politics of local income tax in Sweden : reform and continuity
- 2005
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - : Routledge, Taylor & Francis. - 0300-3930 .- 1743-9388. ; 31:3, s. 351-366
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Local authorities have played an important role in the Swedish model of the Welfare State. This state is characterised by high levels of welfare provision paid for through general taxation, the rates of which are very high and the application of uniform standards across the entire country based on the principles of equity and fairness. The main form of income for local authorities is a Local Income Tax which is paid by 85% of the population. In the 1980s and 1990s, Sweden went through an economic crisis which resulted in significant changes to the tax system, although the Local Income Tax was retained. Subsequent changes have followed a pendulum process, with deregulation of local government finances in the 1990s being followed by greater regulation in the following years. Today, Sweden is conducting a major debate about the role and functions of different levels of government in the light of social, economic and political changes in the international scene.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Wihlborg, Elin, et al.
(författare)
-
Who is Governing What? Governing Local Technical Systems-an Issue of Accountability
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0300-3930 .- 1743-9388. ; 34:3, s. 349-362
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The article discusses accountability in governance of local energy and IT systems. The aim is to focus on accountability of local policy making regarding technical systems by comparing consequences when new forms of governance are developed. Governance steering demands and ensures a clear division of responsibility regarding what a network is responsible for, but not regarding who is accountable for the decision making and implementation. On the other hand, in a steering context characterized by government, it is clear who is responsible and accountable for decisions, but the specific issues for which different actors can be accountable are unclear. We argue that demands for clarifications of accountability emerges from the complex modern governance.
|
|
| 9. |
- Szücs, Stefan, 1964, et al.
(författare)
-
The more things change, the more they stay the same: The Swedish local government elite between 1985 and 2005
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Local Government Studies. - 1743-9388. ; 35:2, s. 251-270
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article examines the development of the main characteristics of the Swedish local political-administrative elite, by analysing repeated surveys, performed in 1985, 1991, 1999 and 2005, of all important leaders in a representative sample of 20 towns and cities. Despite the great changes that have occurred at the local government level, the local government elite retains a surprisingly high degree of homogeneity and stability over time. Although this elite has become increasingly gender equalised and professional, local problems are perceived to have become slightly more complex; meanwhile, the perceived influence and effectiveness of leaders in solving these problems has remained unchanged, probably because the perceived power and autonomy of local government to act effectively has declined somewhat. In contrast, the leaders' political capital (networks, democratic values and global relations) has remained strong and stable.
|
|
