Anders Leth Nielsen

Many countries have more than one governmental tier. The central argument of this dissertation is that when governmental tiers work together on policymaking and implementation, tensions may emerge between them. To understand these tensions, the dissertation introduces the concept of double democracy, in which two levels of government have legitimate political decision-making authority, but the central government can make demands on subordinate local governments. At the same time, local governments have varying – but legitimate – room to customize policies locally, and they can also seek influence on national policymaking. The dissertation investigates double democracy interactions through case studies of new legislation on the transformation of socially vulnerable housing areas in Denmark. The dissertation shows, first, that local customization is not merely an administrative task but an active political process in which councils adapt policy locally. Second, city councils choose implementation strategies based on their interest and local implementation conditions. When new national demands fit with existing local policy goals and implementation conditions, policies are implemented supportively; when they do not fit, councils seek to limit change and minimize disruption. Third, the dissertation examines the opportunities for individual local governments to influence national policy. If local governments can offer resources on which the state depends, they have greater opportunity to gain influence. Overall, the dissertation shows a relationship between central and local government characterized by negotiation, interdependence, and active political customization of policy.  

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