Det regionala särintresset och staten : En studie av beslutsprocesserna kring Mälarbanan och Svealandsbanan 1983-1992

Sammanfattning: This dissertation discusses the relations between regional interest groups and the State as well as their different roles within political decision-making processes. It is argued that it is necessary to include State agencies when analysing the function of interest groups and different outcomes of various State policies. This is illustrated by two case studies of modern railway construction in Mälardalen, Sweden.The results of this study show that in the two railway projects it all came down to the rather blunt expression of 'being in the right place at the right time'. The collaboration between the regional and State representatives during the important phase of preparing the ground for later decisions, as e.g. the undertaking of a preliminary study, was vital in this respect. Apart from that, several other national factors could be pointed to as advantages for the two projects during this time. According to the State representatives one of these, the national employment policy, would gain from a more flexible labour market within the densely populated region. The two projects in Mälardalen also had more specific advantages in comparison to other railway projects during this period. The two railways would not have been realised without the work of the interest groups, but one must also acknowledge the fact that it was up to the State to use their results in national politics. The final result of these decision-making processes concerning the railway in Mälardalen clearly shows the importance of economic and political conditions on a national level. Conclusive was however also the local and regional political entrepreneurs' skills in taking advantage of the situation, and in presenting their arguments as a matter of public interest.