Outlooks
The outlooks section gives a voice to readers who have a legitimate response to what they have read on nordics.info or elsewhere on the Nordic region. It is primarily aimed at:
(1) researchers who wish to contextualise or critically explore an issue from a particular or innovative angle; and,
(2) researchers and others whose perspectives are often under-represented or overlooked in research.
This section is based on the recognition that exclusively research-based information can sometimes reflect hidden power dynamics and lead to more qualitative perspectives being overlooked. These may be, for example, voices from underrepresented groups or innovative, interdisciplinary angles. With respect to style and form, this section mirrors that of ‘Articles’ above, but allows greater scope for opinion and individual perspective.
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2020.02.12 | Outlook, Monica Quirico, Democracy, Nation building
Democracy in the shadow of populism - a Nordic way out?
The “Nordic model” is often presented as a solution to the dominance of neoliberalism and the rise of populism. Populist tendencies within the region, including the reclaiming of nationalist identities and anti-immigration and anti-globalisation sentiment, can often be overlooked by outside observers. Whereas elsewhere economic crises encourage …
2019.12.10 | Outlook, Atle Midttun, Nina Witoszek, Nation building, Research
Is the Norwegian model in danger?
In the first decades of the 21st century, some Norwegian commentators have been calling for an increased emphasis on commercial competition in Norwegian business and education, and an increased focus on profits as a measure of relevance and utility. This trend poses a threat to the social welfare model in Norway as it is traditionally construed. …
2019.11.28 | Outlook, Byron Zachary Rom-Jensen, Reputation, Culture, Research
‘Socialist’ suicide in Scandinavia: a historical view of a common myth
High rates of suicide are often connected with the Nordic countries and their apparently ‘socialist’ policies. Highlighting high suicide rates in Scandinavia can be traced back to at least the 1960s when foreign observers attempted to either undermine or legitimize the welfare states in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. These characterizations forced…
2019.09.10 | Outlook, Thorsten Borring Olesen, Democracy, Nation building, Research
Buying Greenland? Trump, Truman and the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean'
In the summer of 2019, the Trump Administration voiced an interest in buying Greenland from Denmark. The historical background for this stretches at least as far back as a case brought by Norway at the International Court in 1933 when it was decided that Denmark had full sovereignty over Greenland. Since then, Danish governments have engaged in…