Sentrum og periferi i samepolitikken: En analyse av geografiske skillelinjer blant samiske velgere

Abstract

Geography and its territorial implications have increasingly shaped elections in Norway and internationally. This chapter explores whether Sami politics also exhibits a territorial dimension, drawing on Rokkan’s cleavage theory to analyze urban–rural and center–periphery divides, with a focus on how geography influences political trust and support for Sami self-determination. While overall geographical disparities among Sami voters are modest, the divides reveal specific characteristics. Inner Finnmark stands as a center of Sami political activity, defining a central–peripheral cleavage primarily between Inner Finnmark (central) and Outer Finnmark (peripheral). Data from the 2021 Sami Parliament elections reveal notable centre–periphery distinctions: voters in Outer Finnmark demonstrate less support for Sami self-determination and reduced trust in the Sami Parliament. Additionally, this pattern yields a less pronounced urban–rural divide compared to similar cleavages in other political systems, underscoring the unique territorial nature of Sami political dynamics.