TJÄNSTEPERSONERS MAKT I KOMMUNALA FÖRVALTNINGAR -En studie om likheter och skillnader av tjänstepersoners makt i en större och en mindre svensk kommun

There is a democratic ideal that politicians are the decision- and policymakers while the public servants should serve as their policy executers. However, this ideal could be questioned as the public servants also have the capacity to make decisions that concerns the citizens. This thesis answers the questions whether there are differences and similarities of power held by the public servants in one larger and one smaller Swedish municipality, and if there is a larger extent to power for the public servants in the smaller municipality. By analysing and comparing interviews and control documents this study shows that the public servants in the larger municipality may have less power because of a different structure of the organisation and more political frameworks that regulate the administration. The public servants in the smaller municipality have more power in contributing ideas and knowledge for decision-making and implementation. It’s easier for the executive manager in the smaller municipality to influence in evaluations and the agenda setting