A comparative and quantitative analysis of the social and economic development in the High North from 1945 until today. Jonas Stein jonas.stein@uit.no PhD Candidate Political Science UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Development of “Gator” Based on the methodology and ideas of Gary King - Various researchers working on one database A database for quantitative research created in 2015 The first version is based on data from Norwegian municipalities mainly from 1945 until today Long-term goal: Available through an easy access user interface Short-term goal: Available through UiT Open Research data https://opendata.uit.no/ Prof. Geir Runar Karlsen (1967-2016) aka «Gator»

Structure of “Gator” Possible to aggregate for regional/national level Panel-data structure Suited for a variety of analytical techniques, including longitudinal and multilevel analysis Analysis within regions Analysis between regions Spatial regression Mainly social, economic and political data Sources: Statistics Norway, Statistics Sweden, Eurostat, NSD - Norwegian Centre for Research Data Accessibility to urban areas within 45 minutes drive in 2010. Source: nordmap.se

Structure of “Gator” – data view

Future development of “Gator” Currently adding environmental data Currently 30 405 observations and 283 variables Currently building a similar structure for Sweden – which can be merged in for comparative analyses Compatible with the European ‘Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics’ (NUTS) Team of 5 researchers working on the data - The Stein Rokkan Research Group for Quantitative Social and Political Science. Long-term plan is to use the data for comparative analyses of the High North and also to other European regions

Demographic development in the High North

Demographic development

Demographic development

Urbanization and emergence of university cities Emergence of university cities Umeå, Luleå and Tromsø, Bodø

Urbanization and emergence of university cities University cities are taking a more important national role

Urbanization and emergence of university cities Internal regional urbanization: Especially towards Umeå and Tromsø

Urbanization in Norway

Stronghold for the Labour Party +50% until 1985. Stabilization around 35%

Stronghold for the Labour Party nationally National trends are a driving force behind regional results - Rokkan

Bloc overview Support for political parties left of centre (Social-democrats, Socialists, Communists)

Bastion for Norwegian Communist party Votes for the Norwegian Communist Party in national elections

Strong opposition to EU membership in the North Referendum about EU membership in 1972 and 1994