ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the political techniques used for managing regional relations and the motives and sources of the joint problem solving processes. In a historical perspective, Nordic relations have been characterized as much by conflict and rivalry as by peaceful coexistence and cooperation. The process of political integration is less one of centralization of regional authority and more one of finding collective and nationally acceptable solutions to pressing national problems. Attitudinal integration is defined as the process whereby the peoples of a region develop increasingly favorable attitudes toward their regional partners and to joint management of regional problems. An effort was made to create joint coordinating bodies that could ensure continuous exposure to regional considerations and serve as a spokesman for the national organizations in their dealings with the joint government institutions in the region. A greater structural rigidity and formalization would, it is hoped, facilitate regional coordination and ensure that a regional perspective was maintained on all major issues.
