{"product_id":"9783031996320","title":"Palgrave Studies in Sub-National Governance: Understanding the Past to Reform the Future","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePalgrave Studies in Sub-National Governance\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUnderstanding the Past to Reform the Future\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContributors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Erlingsson, Gissur Ó; Karlsson, David; Öhrvall, Richard; Wide, Jessika\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eAs democratic systems come under increasing strain worldwide, assessing their strength and resilience is more urgent than ever. Some argue that local democracy can serve as a bulwark against democratic backsliding—providing institutional resilience, political diversity, and grounded arenas for citizen engagement. But to fulfil this role, it must itself be strong, accountable, and responsive. \u003cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003eSwedish Local Democracy at the Crossroads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003emakes the case for continuous, systematic evaluation of democratic institutions at the local level and introduces a structured framework for doing so.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eApplying this framework to Sweden—one of the world’s most decentralised countries—the book offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of Swedish local democracy available in English. Swedish municipalities are key actors in delivering welfare services, upholding political legitimacy, and maintaining citizen trust. Yet they increasingly face rising demands, institutional ambiguity, and weakened party structures that challenge their ability to govern effectively.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eGrounded in historical context and detailed empirical analysis, the book explores enduring tensions and outlines potential pathways for reform. It examines core dimensions such as representation, participation, institutional design, and the evolving relationship between politicians and bureaucrats. While centred on the Swedish experience, its insights extend well beyond national borders and will appeal to researchers, students, policymakers, and practitioners concerned with democratic governance and institutional renewal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBook Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Palgrave Macmillan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2025-10-02\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardcover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9783031996320\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 296\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Palgrave Macmillan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44309623799948,"sku":"9783031996320","price":125.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9783031996320.jpg?v=1768933915","url":"https:\/\/fh90cf-fv.myshopify.com\/products\/9783031996320","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}