The Growing Regional Administration: From Federalist Principles to Single-Issue Clubs

Abstract

This article discusses the growth in the number of state regions in Norway in relation to two alternative theoretical perspectives on multi-level governance: a federal perspective and a club theoretical perspective. While the multi-functional and federal part of Norwegian regional government has been weakened over recent years, there has been a significant growth in the number of single-purpose regions and where the various regional divisions seem to follow a club theoretical logic. Empirical evidence demonstrates that a major justification for this development from federalist to club theoretical principles in the organization of public activities at the regional level is to be found in the professional and the collective nature of the tasks being transferred to this governmental level.

Keywords:

• Regions
• federalism
• club theory
• professionalism
• collective services

Acknowledgement

Professor Leif Arne Heloe at NIBR has been a generous discussion partner, and has given detailed comments on the manuscript.