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Municipal Size and Democracy: A Critical Analysis of the Argument of Proximity Based on the Case of Denmark
Author(s) -
Larsen Christian Albrekt
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
scandinavian political studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.65
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1467-9477
pISSN - 0080-6757
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9477.00074
Subject(s) - argument (complex analysis) , politics , democracy , affect (linguistics) , political science , perception , local government , welfare , sociology , positive economics , public administration , political economy , epistemology , law , economics , biochemistry , chemistry , philosophy , communication
The Nordic welfare states are based on a unique system of highly decentralized municipalities. However, in Denmark a discussion about merging municipalities has emerged. The discussion has kept within the framework of the classic dichotomy between capacity and proximity, or been limited to considerations of effectiveness versus democracy. The assumptions behind both arguments can be nuanced and problematized, and a new study, based on an extensive set of data, analyses the basic assumptions behind the argument of proximity. In accordance with earlier studies, it finds that participation is higher in small municipalities. However, municipal size does not affect citizens’ interest in and knowledge of local politics. Nor does it affect citizens’ perception of local politicians and their trust in local political decisions. This is surprising, given previous research in this area.