ABSTRACT
Large political systems give rise to a particular problem of social communication: How can the central government (i.e. the centre) impose its decisions on geographically remote communities (i.e. the periphery), and how can these communities exercise some measure of influence over central decision-making processes? This problem is referred to as the centre — periphery challenge, and the challenge is solved by building intermediary organisations and institutions — voluntary associations and local governments, in particular — that communicate demands and requests, needs and wishes, decisions and instructions up and down the national chain of command. This way, the central decision-making institutions and geographically remote communities gradually become integral parts of a common system of government (see, for instance, Rokkan 1987, 1970).
