Experts at Networking? The Constrained Influence of Experts in Norwegian Policy-Networks

Abstract

The topic of this thesis is the system of public advisory commissions in Norway (NOU) and the social networks within that system. Analysing the NOU-system as a social network allows for several unexplored questions to be asked with regard to the structure of the network as a whole. Approaching this in an explorative way, I try to characterize the network structure of the NOU-system and how it changes over time. This is analysed within a Social Network Theory-framework, highlighting tendencies of centralization and cohesion, as well as the aggregated centrality of the network over time. The second question I pose is driven by recent developments of the study of academic expertise in policymaking. Recent studies have shown that within Norwegian advisory commissions there is a growing number of academic experts, giving this particular societal group increased influence in the policy process.Therefore, I aim to find out whether experts are also becoming increasingly important when employing a network-approach.