Democracy

In this category, you will find articles on democracy and the Nordics, including parliaments, voting systems, egalitarianism, consensual democracy, social democracy and the welfare state. Categories are interpreted widely.

The emergence of Norwegian civil society in the 19th century

Caricature of people in a pyramid: King at the top, supported by the upper class with floss hats, again supported by the many workers
- Jan Eivind Myhre

Voluntary organisations were a new and important phenomenon in Norway in the nineteenth century and included many different types of associations,…

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, b. 1930

Portrait of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. Here, she is a young woman with blond short hair, standing upright wearing a black long trenchcoat and a formal hat.
- Kevin Hogg

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir is an Icelandic politician. She served as the country’s president for 16 years, using the office to promote Icelandic culture…

Imagining Nordicity in the American political discourse

Large conference room with white upholstery with three large screens with "socialism", "flexicurity" and "democratic" on them.
- Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy

The Nordic region is frequently presented in the American media as prosperous and business-friendly, as well as allowing for extensive welfare…

Interview: The relationship between Denmark and Germany: politics and culture since 1800

Anna Sandberg, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen.
- Anna Lena Sandberg

In this short video, Anna Sandberg, Associate Professor in the Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies at Copenhagen University, gives an…

Democracy in the shadow of populism - a Nordic way out?

a young boy burning a newspaper
- Monica Quirico

The “Nordic model” is often presented as a solution to the dominance of neoliberalism and the rise of populism. Populist tendencies within the region,…

History of Iceland, 1840s to the Second World War

Iceland's flag in colours blue, white and red
- Democracy

Even though Iceland remained under Danish rule, the Icelandic ‘Althing’ was restored in 1845 as a national consultative assembly, and in 1874 the…

Buying Greenland? Trump, Truman and the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean'

Map showing where Greenland is located on the map.
- Thorsten Borring Olesen

In the summer of 2019, the Trump Administration voiced an interest in buying Greenland from Denmark. The historical background for this stretches at…

EEC referenda in Denmark and Norway, 1972

Map in various colours showing the growth of the now-called European Union, from the original six countries of the EEC to 28 members in 2019
- Democracy

Both Denmark and Norway held referenda on whether to join the European Economic Community in 1972. After Danes supported joining and Norwegians did…

Political coalitions in the Nordic region

A meeting room with a large round table with chairs around it in the centre.
- Robin Pettitt

Nordic countries have been labelled ‘consensual democracies’ due to the use of cross-party coalitions in forming governments. As political parties…

Ombudsman

Older large building with trees in the front
- Inken Dose

Originating in Sweden in 1809, an ombudsman is generally regarded as an official body of complaint which protects individuals against abuses of power…