Kristoffer Kolltveit and his professor colleagues Elin Haugsgjerd Allern, M?lfrid Braut- Hegghammer, and Bj?rn Erik Rasch at the Department of Political Science at the University of Oslo are editors of the The Oxford Handbook of Norwegian Politics, which was recently published.
A number of political scientists and scholars from other disciplines have contributed to the handbook, which offers an extensive overview of Norway’s institutions, politics, public policies, and international relations
– We provide a comprehensive picture of Norwegian politics and show how the country has changed since Norway was a small peripheral country far to the north to when we became a wealthy and much more complex society, Kolltveit says.
Need for institutional changes?
The handbook provides an opportunity to discuss fundamental questions about Norway. Questions that are not often publicly debated, but that occasionally come up, Kolltveit says. As an example he points to the present situation with the difficult budgetary negotiations. “How well does Norwegian parliamentarism work today?” is one of the questions asked.
– This autumn it has been particularly difficult for the Labour Party to reach an agreement with four other parties that all have their own interests. This has raiseed questions about voting procedures in parliament, votes of confidence and budget procedures. Questions usually of interest only to political scientists, Kolltveit says.
According to the political scientist, there is reason to discuss whether the Norwegian system is set up to solve the most difficult issues.
– There may be a need for institutional changes if political leaders are unable make difficult decisions, but end up prioritizing costly policies, short term measures to manoeuvre in the increasingly fragmented political landscape, says Kolltveit, who has particular expertise on cabinets and central government.
– Questions worth asking are whether cabinet meetings are well-suited for having long discussions, or whether the ministries are too sector-oriented and “siloed”. Perhaps also the Prime Minister’s Office should be larger, Kolltveit says. He stresses that the challenges are not only about the political administrative system.
– Increasing pressure from the media and social media formats also make it difficult to argue for long term and often complex solutions, the co-editor emphasizes.
Lack of a political culture for saying no?
Kristoffer Kolltveit emphasises that institutional reforms alone perhaps are not sufficient. A cultural change may also be needed.
– To solve long-term challenges and to prioritize in difficult economic situations, I think politicians have to make more unpopular but necessary decisions. But that can be difficult and demanding when facing the voters, Kristoffer Kolltveit says.
The Oxford Handbook of Norwegian Politics offers a thorough and extensive overview of Norway's political institutions, politics, public policy-making and policies, and international relations. The Handbook reviews existing research and presents original analyses, either of specific sub-themes or more generally of developments and trajectories over time. The book is is aimed at both an international and Norwegian audience.