ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the collaborative economic model can be defined by how close the relations are between different collaborative forms. A collaborative economy is facing challenges, both in terms of internal contradictions, and in terms of external pressures. The Nordic countries have a long tradition of tripartite co-operation as a cornerstone in their economic policy. During the cold war period, the Norwegian as well as the other Nordic models were seen as a possible 'third way' between the ideologies of capitalism and communism. During the 1970s, the programme initiated by Emery and Thorsrud led to formalisation of economic democracy. Economic democracy implied the establishment inside the organisation of arenas based on equal representation of workers and owners/management. Local democracy and self-government is challenged from new and multiple sources. In periods with strong state power local democracy has been overruled, and the demarcation of lines of authority between local community and state has been a continuous political issue, dividing political parties.
