This dissertation presents a version of the inclusion-moderation thesis to examine the association between local government participation and mainstreaming among four challenger parties in Norway and Sweden. The thesis employs a mix of quantitative analyses and qualitative case studies to examine the causal model. Overall, it shows that while the challenger parties pursue their preferred policies in power, they are constrained by policy proximity as a precondition to join government, compromises within the alliance, budget sizes, national rules and policies, and their own reputation building efforts. The degree to which each of these moderating mechanisms affect the profile and development of a local branch depends in turn on factors such as bargaining power within the coalition, local organisational strength, and the balance between pragmatists and ideologues within the local branch. It also depends on the degree to which the branches are conscious of the constraints and employ strategies such as ‘role playing’ to minimise the tradeoff between ideological purity and cohesion within the alliance. Beyond the local level, the thesis considers whether local moderation or systemic integration may ‘trickle up’ to the national level. It shows that two sources of multilevel spill-over are present for the parties. Firstly, politicians with executive experience from the local level frequently move into central positions in the party. These politicians join parliamentary committees and communicate with voters based in part on the personal political profiles developed in local government. Additionally, prior to joining national coalitions, the local level serves as proving grounds for the challenger parties. The parties deliberately use successful local coalitions as showcases. The thesis contributes to the literature by developing a causal model of inclusion and moderation in (local) government, as well as a ‘trickle-up effect’ whereby local participation may impact the political system overall.
Jørgen Eikvar Axelsen is a political scientist with research interests in the areas of political extremism, party politics, and comparative politics. His doctoral work focuses on political parties that challenge the ideological mainstream and how they integrate into the political system. Before studying at the EUI, he gained a master’s degree in political science at the University of Oslo.