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The Norwegian Power and Democracy Project concluded that the parliamentary chain of government is weakened in every link; parties and election are less mobilizing; minority governments imply that the connection between election results and policy formation is broken; and elected assemblies have been suffering a notable loss of domain. Popular participation has moved from long-term organisations and political parties to short-term action groups and associations with immediate concerns. The judicialisation of politics has strengthen the legal system and weakened the autonomy of local democracy, while the expansion of market forces further affects the span of parliamentary rule. The mass media has become politically more independent, while adapting more closely to economic forces and the quest for return of investment. There has, accordingly, been centralisation of economic power through mergers and acquisitions following the globalisation of the Norwegian economy. The so-called 'Scandinavian' (or 'Nordic') model is increasingly strained, while corporatism is partly weakened and partly restructured. After the end of the Cold War, there has also been a consistent strategy in foreign policy for the branding of Norway as a champion for peace and human rights. There is a cluster of corporate bureaucratic agencies around the high-profile peace mediation and humanitarian engagement. References. Adapted from the source document.

The Norwegian Power and Democracy Study concluded that representative government is eroding. Popular participation has moved from long-term organizations and political parties to short-term action groups and associations with immediate concerns. Public sector reforms seem to weaken municipal autonomy and strengthen central control in emphasizing greater efficiency and better quality of municipal service provision. The judicialization of politics has strengthened the legal system and weakened the autonomy of local democracy, while the expansion of market forces further affects the span of parliamentary rule. Mass media have become politically more independent, while they adapt more closely to economic forces and the quest for return of investments. There has, accordingly, been centralization of economic power through mergers and acquisitions following the globalization of the Norwegian economy, while corporatism is partly weakened and partly restructured. The so-called Scandinavian (or Nordic) model is increasingly strained, putting pressure on the Norwegian social contract that has been characterized by high levels of institutional centralization balanced by a high level of citizen control.

A reply to Oyvind Osterud's (1996 [see abstract 9712328]) attack on postmodernism argues that poststructuralism, critical theory, & critical realism are important responses to the crisis of positivism & modernity. Osterud's misleading notion of postmodernism is discussed, & his accusation that critical-reflectivist research practices are ultimately conventional is addressed, contending that such conventionality suggests room for improving critical-reflectivist studies. Osterud's loaded terms are described as having effects of power: there is an unjustified tendency to silence the emerging late-modern interpretative & explanatory possibilities. 14 References. Adapted from the source document.