ABSTRACT
The increasing role of transnational actors and linkages is of interest to analysts of contemporary international relations. This chapter argues that the political authorities often see a need to collectively manage these forces in order to maintain the effective control of their societies. It shows how the North European effort of policy coordination was brought about by a desire to control as well as benefit from the various regional ties at the societal level. The Nordic flows are significantly more intensive than transfers with the external regions. The growth of transnational elite activities in the Nordic region has experienced a two-step development. First, contacts were initiated in an effort to manage common problems resulting from the high mutual relevance of the Nordic societies. Later, the trans-Nordic contacts were channeled into more structured, formal, and institutional means. The officials working in the various joint Nordic secretariats are mainly concerned with promoting Nordic cooperation.
