Political appointees in executive government have received increased scholarly attention recent years. However, few studies covered non‐Westminster systems, and apart from classifications that systemize variation assignments, theorizing about has been limited. Using large‐N survey data, the article finds three distinct roles among political Norway: ‘stand in’, ‘media adviser’ ‘political coordinator’. The then combines insights research on with core ( CES ) to explain why perform one role or...

The design of government portfolios – that is, the distribution competencies among ministries and office holders has been largely ignored in study executive coalition politics. This article argues portfolio is a substantively theoretically relevant phenomenon major implications for institutional authors use comparative data on reforms nine Western European countries since 1970s to demonstrate how changes over time. Specifically, they show are changed frequently (on average about once year)...

Ministers increasingly rely on advisers for support and advice. In many countries, these political aides are labelled differently. Generally, they serve as close confidants to their masters operate in the ‘shadowland’ between politics bureaucracy. Scholarship has dragged ministerial out of dark described background functions. Still, field scholarship a Westminster bias, is characterized by single case studies, remains under‐theorized. The lack comparative focus theoretical underpinnings can...

The personalization of politics has received much attention in both the political science and communication literature, but focus almost entirely been on party leaders prime ministers. This study investigates ministerial Norway, a type decentralized personalization. It combines survey workers; in-depth interviews with politicians, workers, reporters, top-level civil servants; ethnographic observation inside ministry. article goes beyond media-centered perspectives identifies several...

Party youth wings are generally said to be more ideologically extreme than their mother parties. Youth wing elites, however, can have career reasons align with party elites and voters. Although there is a growing body of literature focusing on an established issue congruence, few studies compared the opinions those electorate. We ask, in what ways extent do electorate? draw surveys members leading positions, voters parliamentary candidates, explore congruences ideological left–right scale as...

Decision-making in public bureaucracies should be guided by rules and formal procedures, securing predictability, impartiality fair decisions. Studies show that are highly mediatised – but knowledge about media impact on political outcomes is scarce. In this article, we study if, how why affect agendas, resource allocation case decisions within bureaucracies. Empirically, apply a mixed method approach to the of Norway, utilising comprehensive survey among civil servants ministries agencies,...

Abstract Communication professionals are increasingly found within government ministries. Based on classic work bureaucracy and recent literature mediatization personalization, this article develops two ideal types: the information provider spin doctor. These ideals constituted by six dimensions: recruitment criteria, values, loyalties, reputational concerns, interactions, tasks. A study of nonpartisan communication in Norwegian ministries is used to illustrate empirical relevance types. The...

In several countries, attempts have been made to increase the capacity coordinate and control public policy in executive centre. The literature on whole-of-government joined-up government describes these changes as reassertion efforts counter negative effects of former New Public Management (NPM) reforms. main research question discussed this article is whether strengthening centre also should be explained by broader developments society features cabinet itself. answered looking at Norway...

Ministerial advisors have become an essential aspect of executive branches worldwide, thus making the ministerial advisor office a potential route for young politicians aspiring to expanding political class. The article studies which professions migrate following their careers, how advisors’ post-ministerial careers compare pre-ministerial and if variance in can be explained by resources that obtain while government. Empirically, draws on cohort 139 Norwegian governments between 2001 2009;...

Political appointees from different parties that of their minister—cross‐partisan (CPAs)—are increasingly found in the core executive. Ministerial advisory scholarship has overlooked CPAs, while coalition governance literature sees them as ‘spies’ and ‘coalition watchdogs’. This article argues theoretically demonstrates empirically this conceptualization is overly limited. The empirical basis a large‐N survey political two Norwegian coalitions, qualitative follow‐up CPAs. results show CPAs...

Pressure from the media affects daily work of bureaucrats and induces ‘media stress’, with potentially critical effects on quality public policy. This article analyses how bureaucrats’ has been adapted to (‘mediatised’) which groups experience most media-stress. Reporting results an original large-scale survey (N=4,655) this demonstrates that levels media-stress vary among different civil servants. In turn, its analysis suggests is more pronounced in Netherlands than Norway, concentrated...

Abstract How is government affected by including populists in a governing coalition? We investigate if populist political parties behave ‘normally’ when they attain power, or govern differently from mainstream parties. Empirically, we use survey data 282 ministerial advisers three cabinets Norway. Our conclusion that normally on some governance dimensions and exceptionally others. Populists office had ample professional experience, adhered to collegial decision making thought the bureaucracy...

Empowerment of state leaders has been apparent over the last decades in various parliamentary democracies. Signs this development, often labelled ‘presidentialisation’, have reported executive sphere also Sweden and Denmark recent years. Few accounts made developments Norway. This article studies Norwegian cabinets for 25 years light so‐called ‘presidentalisation thesis’. The finds no clear tendency prime ministers appointing more weak controllable ministers, or frequently making reshuffles...

Scholars have argued that government agencies face a complex web of reputational concerns regarding how they are perceived by multiple audiences who prioritise different dimensions their work. Drawing on social identity theory, we argue civil servants concerned about the reputation agency for which work, but also other actors in political–administrative system. Focusing hierarchy, socialisation, and independence, hypothesised six possible relationships, tested via multilevel analysis survey...

Decentralisation of political and administrative functions from national to regional levels government has been a major governance trend in Europe over the past decades. Although science policy generally an exception this, parts have decentralised several countries. This article studies characteristics regime instituted by Norwegian government's decision, 2010, give counties responsibility for about one per cent Norway's total publicly-funded research. We conclude that reform fared better...

Abstract The empowerment of chief executives has been apparent in several parliamentary democracies recent decades. However, few accounts have produced developments Norwegian cabinets. aim this article is two-fold. First, changes regarding the concentration decision-making power cabinets past 15 years are examined and, second, how political factors contributed to also examined. Drawing on interviews with 19 ministers from Bondevik II and Stoltenberg cabinets, finds that collegial elements...

This article contributes to the emerging scholarship on gender gap in political ambitions. While appointed party positions offer politically minded people opportunity have further careers outside elected path, extent which women prefer such alternative is unclear. investigates ambitions of young Norway. Studying a country with numerous role models and established structures allows us understand how individual contextual factors might affect for different positions. research also explores...