Institutt for industriell økonomi og teknologiledelse
Abstract
In this study, I argue the restraints induced through neoliberal ideology and the potential of democracy in regional development. Neoliberal ideology holds a dominating role in premising the inputs and determining the outcomes of development processes, in the sense that it overpowers facts, unbiased information, and individual intent. Democracy is challenged when neoliberal ideology retains a hegemonic position, but democracy can also be efficient in challenging the hegemonies. The focal point of the study is to inquire into some of the processes associated with the transformation and changes towards a regional system of governance, and ask: Why is democracy disappearing from regional development? This means that this study is oriented towards how some recent regional change processes have affected democratic values on a system/regional level. Explicitly this thesis examines how meta steering of regional governance networks can influence and change both democratic and development practises in regions
