Abstract
This chapter focuses on a paradox related to cooperation and conflict
in local politics. Most Norwegian local governments are organized according
to a model where political parties are proportionally represented in all political
committees. While this model encourages consensus building, it has increasingly been filled with party-political conflicts. This chapter discusses the difficult balance between “cooperation” and “conflict” in local politics. We show
how local councilors in Norway and Denmark perceive and relate to conflict,
and we provide examples of destructive as well as constructive conflicts in local
governments. In a brief and subsequent chapter, a Norwegian Mayor reflects on
how to balance party-political conflicts and cooperation.
in local politics. Most Norwegian local governments are organized according
to a model where political parties are proportionally represented in all political
committees. While this model encourages consensus building, it has increasingly been filled with party-political conflicts. This chapter discusses the difficult balance between “cooperation” and “conflict” in local politics. We show
how local councilors in Norway and Denmark perceive and relate to conflict,
and we provide examples of destructive as well as constructive conflicts in local
governments. In a brief and subsequent chapter, a Norwegian Mayor reflects on
how to balance party-political conflicts and cooperation.
| Translated title of the contribution | Konfliktparadokset: Samarbejde og konflikt i kommunepolitikken |
|---|---|
| Original language | Norwegian |
| Title of host publication | Folkevalgt og politisk leder |
| Editors | Asbjørn Røiseland, Signy Varbo |
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Place of Publication | Oslo |
| Publisher | Cappelen Damm |
| Publication date | 19 May 2020 |
| Pages | 34-61 |
| Chapter | 2 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9788202679187 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9788202652319 |
| Publication status | Published - 19 May 2020 |