The political economy of housing policy in Norway

By comparative standards, Norwegian housing policy has been successful when viewed from principles of choice, economy, rates of production, and the social use of housing as a (limited) equaliser. This article discusses the reasons for the success, with particular focus upon the saving‐investment foundation of policy and the ways housing credit and housing allowances have been used to express social idealism. As a study of political economy, this article draws upon interdisciplinary social science in economics, politics, history, and social administration. Cause and reason is given for the post‐1973 impacts of stagflation upon the Norwegian housing system, and we are able to draw conclusions in which we specify useful housing theory as a set of operating guidelines.