No matter how successful the Nordic Model may be in producing and expanding human welfare it will always be subject to attack as long as human nature remains at its current state of evolution.
-The Nordic News Network
Scandinavia is a region of Northern Europe that includes Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. All the countries of Scandinavia share similar languages, are ethnically homogeneous, and are known to be punctual, honest, and modest. While each country does have its differences, they all have one major thing in common: the Nordic Model. All the Scandinavian countries are Social Democracies, which basically means that citizens pay high taxes, but in return the government provides a great deal of things to everyone. However, there is also criticism of the welfare state, with complaints ranging from people taking advantage of the system to dissatisfaction of the brutal taxation. Although the Nordic Model has its problems, the benefits and the quality of life that results from it outweighs the bad, which is shown by the prosperous Scandinavian states.
The Nordic Model is the term for the Scandinavian states economic system. The government equally provides the same thing for each of its citizens. Many things are provided by the government, like universities, health care, maternity leave and social security. But there are other aspects of the Nordic Model too. Social Democrats support regulated private enterprise, high taxes in return for high public service, thorough working laws, like minimum wage and working conditions, and a strong policy of equality for all citizens. However, to make all these things possible, citizens must pay high taxes. In Norway, for example, the majority of ...
... middle of paper ...
...05, “Looking After Everyone,” Gale Research, Reproduced in History Resource Center, http://galenet.galegroup.com.
Siri Leisson, personal interview, 27 May 2010
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_lit_adu_at_hig_lit_lev-education-literacy-adults-high-level
Becker, New York Times,October 2005, “Nordic Countries Come Out Near the Top in Two Business Surveys”
The Economist (US), June 2003, “Kyrbbe to Grav”
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/peo_gen_dev_ind-people-gender-development-index
Siri Leisson, personal interview, 27 May 2010
http://cupe.ca/updir/Public_profile_Sweden.pdf
Kuehnelt-Leddihn, National Review, December, 1988, “Paradise Lost.”
Ibid
Norberg, The National Interest, Summer, 2006, “Swedish models: the welfare state and its competitors.” http://www.johannorberg.net/?page=articles&articleid=151
Ibid
Ibid
Dolgoff, R. & Feldstein, D. (2003). Understanding social welfare (7th ed). New York, Allen & Bacon
In comparing the U.S. to Sweden, it has become very obvious that Sweden has taken its population health much more seriously. Sweden has put in place laws and programs which affect the prenatal and neonatal development of its children. (Bezruchka, 2011) Sweden has realized that good health outcomes begin early, and has in place social programs giving new mothers a mandatory year of paid leave. (Bezruchka, 2011) This paid leave allows the parents, especially the mother, time to be present during the most critical time of development. (Laureate, 2011) Sweden also has state funded day care centers for when the mother does return to work. By investing in the early stages of child development, Sweden is curbing the expenses of later health care costs. The U.S., in comparison, does not have any programs for maternity, paid leave or child day care. There are a few corporations such as Facebook, Google, and Cisco which are at the forefront of providing for their employees. (Alsever, 2013) These represent corporations investing in their employees, and not a government concerned about the health of its people. The programs are not free to the employees. (Alsever, 2013)
Esping-Anderson analysed and described the, in his time, 18 countries which were part of the organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD countries). He came up with two distinct dimensions: 1. de-commodification and 2. stratification. By commodification, he means that the individual person and their labour are commodified which indicates that labour is the individual’s primary commodity (product to satisfy one’s basic life’s needs) in the market. So, de-commodification refers to the government’s activities and efforts to reduce individuals’ reliance on the market (their labour) for their well being. Examples are unemployment and sickness insurances, and pensions. These are also used as measures, to measure de-commodification when comparing welfare states. As for stratification, he aimed at that the status of an individual as a citizen will compete with, or even replace this individual’s class position. By this Esping-Anderson argues that the welfare states play a significant role in maintaining or breaking down social stratification.
Walsh M, Stephens P & Moore S Social policy and welfare, Stanley Thornes Ltd. 2000
The Swedish government has gone through many changes over the years. It began as an elective monarchy. Then, over time, the government changed into a representative monarchy.
Scandinavia is a collection of countries found in northern Europe, these countries include; Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. However, it isn’t Scandinavia herself that is a point of interest, it’s her inhabitants. The Vikings were Scandinavian pirates who terrorized much of western Europe between the 8th and 11th century. They conquered and settled in lands such as England, Scotland, and Greenland, and are best known for their iconic helmets, and intriguing gods. But like most civilizations, they dealt with complications that made it hard to live. Vikings dealt with many influences from Europe that lead to an unexpected end for their society. And so the establishment of Scandinavian royal authority, the spread of Christianity, and the downfall of the Scandinavian economy ultimately led to the end of the Viking era.
Tanner, Micheal B. "Welfare Reform." Cato Institute Cato Institute, 9 Mar. 1995. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
Denmark As one of the oldest states in Europe, Denmark has not only witnessed many great philosophical, religious, and literary periods that were experienced all around the globe, but they also contributed immensely. Beginning with the Viking Age, Denmark arose as a historically significant state in Europe around 800 AD (Samuelsen). Despite experiencing many secular and nonsecular changes over the centuries, Denmark has developed a rich culture and globally respected name. Today Denmark is an internationally recognized dominion, know for everything from fabulously low unemployment rates to sleek and modern arcitulutal design (Badenhausen).
This form of government can be achieved as it is currently successful in some European countries. Health care to these Socialist countries is a natural born right, as well as education. Women are given paid maternity leave, and college is affordable and sometimes even free in the Socialist countries of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Mexico, and Brazil. Recently, Britain’s “success of the welfare state strikes at the dynamic which has driven Socialism forward in the past and brought it widespread support” (Davis 505). in Sweden, the Swedish Social Democratic Party remains to be one of the most successful socialist forms of government.
During and after World War I, in which Sweden remained neutral, the nation benefited from the worldwide demand for Swedish steel, ball bearings, wood pulp, and matches. Postwar achievement provided the basis for the social welfare policies characteristic of modern Sweden. Sweden followed a policy of armed impartiality during World War II and currently remains independent. Sweden became a member of the European Union in 1995.
Norway is one of the “three fingers” of Scandinavia, and is just larger than New Mexico. It covers 125,181 square miles. It is located in Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The coastline stretches 21,925 km. The population of Norway is 4.3 million and growing. The population is predominantly or Nordic (Scandinavian) decent. There is also a small minority (20,000) of native Sámis (Laplanders), who live mostly in the North. Many aspects of business and management in Norway are very similar to those of America including language and communication, power structures/politics, work ethics, food and eating habits, dress, and religious beliefs.
The Denmark Government is a constitutional monarchy system. The government of Denmark is based on the parliamentary system and it is representative democratic. The head of government is controlled by the Prime Minister. Denmark is a multi-party system so that there is no single party since the beginning of the 20th century in Denmark. The parties members will be represent their parties in the parliament. Hence, the Danish parliament tends to be more powerful than legislatures in others countries. The constitution of the Denmark is not grant to the judiciary power of judicial review of legislation; however the courts have asserted this power with the consent of the other branches of government. Moreover, the government of Denmark has two arms, the government and the Folketing. The choice of the candidates depends on the majority votes of the person who has received from the respective constituency and also on his local connection. However, the change of political system has started when Fogh Rasmussen has won his first general election on 20 November 2001 and became the Prime Minister...
The culture of Denmark is both traditional and modern. Denmark is known for being the happiest country in the world and the Danes were considered to be the strongest and tallest of the Nordic tribes. It is not certain where the Danes originated from, but some believed they came from the southern part of the Scandinavian peninsula ("Denmark." Encyclopedia Americana). Most people in Denmark are Evangelical Lutherans (“Denmark” CIA World Factbook). The Evangelical Lutheran Church “is an institution with deep roots in Danish history, and people rally to it in times of grave crisis, such as World War II, but it is hardly a vital social force. It engages extensively in social work, however, and parish clergy still collect vital statistics for the state. Attendance at church services is extremely low” ("Denmark." Encyclopedia Americana). The Danish language is similar to Norwegian and Swedish and the Latin alphabet is most commonly used ("Denmark." Encyclopedia Americana). Education is very important to the people of Denmark and they are very lucky that the government provides them free education (Murphy). Beginning at the age of seven, children begin Folkeskolen, a primary school, where they learn math, history, geography, science, art, music, physical education, and religion ("Denmark." Encyclopedia Americana). They also study and learn Danish, German, and English languages (Murphy). After attending Folkeskolen for nine years, some students move on to high school and some choose a trade school ("Denmark." Encyclopedia Americana). Many adults also attend high school in Denmark to learn more about sports, history, culture, or literature (Murphy). The people of Denmark eat many of the same foods ...
Such as the idea that the system is concerned with preserving status differential like workers and housewives which can lead to benefits that vary. A third welfare system is the Social Democrat or Scandinavian type. The Scandinavian type exists in Northern Europe and provides generous benefits to all citizens. A distinguishing feature of the Scandinavian type is the idea of Universalism and the emphasis on social equality. The system’s policies exist throughout one’s life or “cradle to grave.” A forth welfare system is the Southern European type which is similar to the Corporatist Continental type, but has less size and scope. Finally, there is the Communist East European welfare state which follows the Soviet Union’s model for social security (Kaelble 265). Overall, Europe has five unique types of welfare states. Each system has a different idea on how government should operate and how much government should intervene to help its citizens. The differences in the development of welfare states in Europe, particularly during the Cold War period, have led to deep divisions in Europe. Countries hold a different set of values and principles that must be respected in order to form a strong
To illustrate more thoroughly the homogeneity of the Danish society, Niels Kærgård, a professor at Copenhagen University, defines “universality” (Kærgård, 2006, p.1) as the main element of the welfare state. By universality, he defines “all citizens in Denmark [as having] the right to free medical help, free hospital, free education and a pension independent of saving and employment” (ibid). This not only gives Danes equal rights, but also establishes a common ground for all citizens with a state, making them feel equal to one another in regards to their