Public policy, gender equality and labour markets
Policy making in the Nordics is characterised by the welfare state and a culture of working together, from the cross-party parliamentary culture, to tripartite negotiations between the government, employers and employees, to gender inclusiveness in the workplace. Many of these aspects are seen as making up what is often referred to as the Nordic model. However, gender segregation within the workforce remains high and other complex paradoxes exist that must not be overlooked. This page seeks to provide articles on both the traditional view of the Nordics as well as research that deconstructs that view. New articles are added on a regular basis.
2019.02.21 | Article, Norbert Götz, Governance, Public policy, Democracy
Corporatism and the Nordic countries
Corporatism is about the influence of organisations and interest groups on policy making. The Nordic countries are societies with strong interest groups, acknowledged and privileged by the state, that wield considerable influence on policy making and implementation. Corporatism, or neo-corporatism, is found within industrial relations, but is also…
2019.02.19 | Article, David Redvaldsen, Labour markets
Labour movement in the Nordic countries
The 'labour movement' refers to the network of political, industrial, voluntary, educational and recreational organisations with a socialist or labour ethos. From the late nineteenth century, its aim was to improve living and working conditions for blue-collar workers and their families, and was organised around national trade union…
2019.02.18 | Article, Kristina Bækker Simonsen, Multiculturalism, Public policy
Political approaches to immigration in Scandinavia since 1995
Immigration has been described as one of the policy areas where Denmark, Norway and Sweden have differed most since 1995. In 2018, Denmark was amongst the most restrictive countries in Western Europe, Sweden the most liberal and Norway somewhere in-between. These differences can be explained, at least to some extent, by divergent approaches to…
2019.02.18 | Article, John Logue, Labour markets
Trade unions in the Nordic countries
Trade unions play a more important role in Nordic politics and economics than they do in most other countries. This is largely a result of their organisational success, which has made them key actors in policymaking as well as in collective bargaining.
2019.02.18 | Article, Anne Heith, Culture, The arts, Gender
1970s feminist culture in the Nordics
The feminist movement that flourished in the Nordic countries during the 1970s had strong roots in anti-capitalist, socialist ideology. It was powered by a host of social events, community building, artistic creation and political activism.
2019.02.18 | The Quick Read, John Logue, Law, Labour markets
Solidaristic wage policy
Solidaristic wage policy refers to the practice, noticeably carried out in Sweden during the 1950s, of limiting wages in the most profitable sectors and increasing wages in less profitable sectors. It was carried out in order to achieve more equal wages on a national basis. It also had the consequence of heightening economic competitiveness…
2019.02.18 | The Quick Read, John Logue, Democracy, Governance
Harpsund democracy
Harpshund democracy is the Swedish practice of regular tripartite consultation between government, trade unions and businesses on major policy decisions. The consultation reflects the importance of the major interest organisations in shaping and implementing policy in the Swedish political model. The assumption is that strong policy can be built…
2019.02.15 | Article, John Logue, Labour markets, Democracy
Labour markets in the Nordics
National labour markets in the Nordic countries reflect trade union and Social Democratic principles of full employment and solidarity, while conforming to the conditions of capitalist market economies. They combine high levels of labour force participation with excellent systems of unemployment compensation. Throughout the region there is now a…
2019.02.08 | Article, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Education, Culture
Social sciences and the Nordics
Because of the emphasis on social planning and the strong state prevalent in the Nordic region throughout the twentieth century, the social sciences have enjoyed a privileged position in the Nordics.
2019.02.07 | Article, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Education, Culture
Anthropology and the Nordic countries
Anthropological studies contribute new knowledge on Nordic societies and simultaneously offer fresh perspectives on them.