STV2440 – Multi-level governance and decentralisation
Course content
Any country of some size must organize its political system at and across multiple levels of governance. This course shows how public policy is formed, adopted, and implemented when the political and administrative system is divided into multiple levels. It provides insight into how different types of multi-level governance systems work and how this affects the distribution of political power. Amongst other aspects, the course explores federalism, local governance, and decentralization structures. Similarly, attention will be given to policy-making and implementation within the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member states. Further, the course will look at the role of international organizations in the global landscape of policy formulation and enactment. The course will conclude with a comprehensive discussion on the principles of accountability and transparency within multi-level governance structures.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
You will:
- know central concepts such as multi-level governance (policy-making and implementation), decentralization, autonomy, and delegation.
- know key theories that explain the structure and development of multi-level systems.
- understand the principles behind the balance between territoriality and functionality in multi-level systems.
- understand the challenges associated with decentralization and governance in a multi-level context.
- understand multi-level governance in the EU and the principle of subsidiarity
- understand the importance of the EEA for Norwegian politics and administration.
Skill
You can:
- critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of centralizing and decentralizing power.
- critically discuss why power is more centralized in some countries than in others.
- discuss the relationship between decentralization and autonomy critically.
- assess the significance of multi-level governance for the distribution of power between different types of actors.
- anchor a problem in the field’s literature and assess how the choice of problem guides the choice of study design, data/source needs, and approach.
- communicate professional knowledge in writing and orally and provide constructive criticism on other students' drafts.
General competence
You will:
- understand what supranational, national, and local authorities can decide for themselves, and what must be decided at a higher/lower level.
- develop political influence strategies that consider the power and authority of the different decision levels.
- provide advice on which decision-making bodies must be involved to solve specific challenges.
- build competence relevant to work in the political system and the administration.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is not available for single course students.
Recommended previous knowledge
STV1400 – Offentlig politikk og administrasjon
Teaching
Lectures and seminars.
Compulsory activities:
- Attend the first seminar and minimum two of the following
- Write and present an essay (800-1000 words)
- Serve as opponent for other students' essays.
The seminars are taught in English, and the papers handed in must be written in English.
See the seminar guidelines for more information about the seminars.
See the rules for reassignment of seminar groups and the guidelines for compulsory activities.
Absence from compulsory activities
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, and does not have to in order to take the exam. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Term paper, 2500 - 3000 words.
Language of examination
You submit your term paper in English.?
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.