DAFF 25A08 - Rethinking the Nordic Political Model ? Politics and Society in Scandinavia

The Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) are often seen as global models of welfare, good governance, and high quality of life, successfully combining social protection with entrepreneurial success. Historically associated with consensus politics, trust, and moral leadership - through figures such as Olof Palme or Norway's peace diplomacy - the region has long defied conventional wisdom about global pressures for deregulation, showing how social protection can coexist with global competitiveness. Recent narratives of decline, however, point to rising crime, economic stagnation, and populism. This course invites students to revisit the evolving politics of the ‘Nordic model’, exploring its institutions, challenges, and relevance for Europe through history, politics, economics and sociology. The course will focus primarily on the Swedish case, in which the teachers specialise, but will also cover the Norwegian and Danish cases extensively, and, in some limited instances, Finland.

No prerequisites for this course, students are expected to have an interest for the Nordic countries and their political systems.

The course will be divided between discussions of the assigned readings, lectures and group presentations in the second part of the semester.

The Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) are often seen as global models of welfare, good governance, and high quality of life, successfully combining social protection with entrepreneurial success. Historically associated with consensus politics, trust, and moral leadership - through figures such as Olof Palme or Norway's peace diplomacy - the region has long defied conventional wisdom about global pressures for deregulation, showing how social protection can coexist with global competitiveness. Recent narratives of decline, however, point to rising crime, economic stagnation, and populism. This course invites students to revisit the evolving politics of the ‘Nordic model’, exploring its institutions, challenges, and relevance for Europe through history, politics, economics and sociology. The course will focus primarily on the Swedish case, in which the teachers specialise, but will also cover the Norwegian and Danish cases extensively, and, in some limited instances, Finland.