Indigenous representation in majority-based parties and “the green shift”: Structures, strategies, and policy effects

Much of the literature on Indigenous representation concerns Indigenous organizations or representative bodies. IMPART, on the other hand, studies how Indigenous people attempt to influence policy through the political parties of the majority peoples of their states: How are the Sámi included - or not included - in the statewide political parties of Norway and Sweden? Norway and Sweden are generally held to be two quite similar countries, but in this case we find some rather notable differences. What are they? Why have these countries developed in so different directions when it comes to Sámi inclusion in mainstream political parties? And what can explain differences between parties within the same states? How do the different relationships between parties and Sámi activists in Norway and Sweden, affect the relationship betweeen the states and their Sámi Parliaments? When IMPART's researchers seek explanations, we will map political structures in contemporary politics through interviews and document studies, we will research the historical development of the relationship between the Sámi and the different parties and states, and we will learn from international research on Indigenous representation and on party politics. IMPART also looks specifically on how Indigenous inclusion or lack of such relates to different parties' "green shift" policies. Contemporary political debate is characterized by conflict between Indigenous industries and "clean energy" industries. Do parties with strong Indigenous inclusion structures take Indigenous rights and interests more into account ijn their "green shift" policies? Or is Indigenous inclusion symbolic, without measurable effect on this policy field? IMPART studies different parties in the two countries to investigate this.

IMPART studies Indigenous interest representation through majority-based political parties, with a specific focus on how this phenomenon affects parties' policies regarding disputes between "green" industry development vs. protection of natural resources that are fundamental for traditional Indigenous economic activities. How do Indigenous political activists attempt, and to what extent are they successful in, influencing the majority-based parties that control the state when it comes to "green shift" policy? Why do some parties create Indigenous representation mechanisms, while others do not? What different models and practices have been created for Indigenous interest representation in parties, and what political outcomes do these differences have? IMPART compares two of the states that have partitioned Sápmi and the Sámi people: Norway and Sweden. These two states have similar models for Indigenous representation - elected Indigenous assemblies, Sámediggis. Yet, when it comes to the relationship between the Indigenous people and the majority-based parties, Norway and Sweden display prominent differences. Such differences are also displayed between different parties within the same country. Hence, the two cases provide interesting ground for comparative research. The project draws on and contributes to, two bodies of academic literature: 1) Indigenous representation, and 2) party organizations. It takes existing theory on Indigenous representation, and on the representation of traditionally marginalized social groups in political parties, and seeks to further develop theory through structured comparison of parties and countries. IMPART has a three-part structure that involves: (1) Data collection; (2) Analysis of the Sámi representation structures and practices of Norwegian and Swedish parties, and their origins; (3) Analysis of consequences for parties' "green shift" policies and state-Sámediggi relations regarding the "green shift".