The Routledge Handbook of Scandinavian Politics

The Routledge Handbook of Scandinavian Politics is a comprehensive overview of Scandinavian politics provided by leading experts in the field and covering the polity, the politics and the policy of Scandinavia.

'All things Scandinavian are in fashion. But this fantastic volume urges us to see the Nordic countries as increasingly integrated in Europe and the world, even as each nation retains some of its distinctiveness. No other book in the market offers such a sophisticated, balanced, and rich analysis of Nordic politics and societies.' - Francesco Duina, Bates College, USA.

'This book brilliantly captures both the traditional and changing features of Scandinavian polities, politics and policies. The authors, by combining Scandinavian past and present, catch the essence of Scandinavian domestic and external affairs and shed light on how states can flourish in turbulent times.' - *Baldur Thorhallsson, University of Iceland, Iceland.

'The terms "Scandinavia" and "the Nordic model" tend to be used with increasing flexibility. This calls for a critical discussion of the Nordic examples in all their complexity and this impressively comprehensive handbook explores both the achievements and the challenges of the Nordic countries. It is essential for anyone interested in the Nordic societies, within or outside the region itself.' - Johan Strang, University of Helsinki, Finland.**

• Autorentext

  Peter Nedergaard is Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Anders Wivel is Professor with special responsibilities at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Klappentext

The Routledge Handbook of Scandinavian Politics is a comprehensive overview of Scandinavian politics provided by leading experts in the field and covering the polity, the politics and the policy of Scandinavia. Coherently structured with a multi-level thematic approach, it explains and details Scandinavian politics today through a series of cutting-edge chapters. It will be a key reference point both for advanced-level students developing knowledge about the subject, as well as researchers producing new material in the area and beyond. It brings geographical scope and depth, with comparative chapters contributed by experts across the region. Methodologically and theoretically pluralistic, the handbook is in itself a reflection of the field of political science in Scandinavia and the diversity of the issues covered in the volume. The Routledge Handbook of Scandinavian Politics will be an essential reference for scholars, students, researchers and practitioners interested and working in the fields of Scandinavian politics, European politics, comparative politics and international relations.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Scandinavian Politics between Myth and Reality

2. The Modern Scandinavian Welfare State

3. The Egalitarian Paradise?

4. Still the Corporatist Darlings?

5. The Green 'Heavyweights': The Climate Policies of the Nordic Countries

6. Goldilocks' Frankenstein Monster: The Rise, Political Entrenchment and Transformation of the Scandinavian Welfare States

7. Nordic Administrative Traditions

8. Cabinets and Ministerial Turnover in the Scandinavian Countries

9. **The Parliaments of the Scandinavian Countries

10. Nordic Voters and Party Systems **

11. **Public Opinion and Politics in Scandinavia

12. **Continuity and Convergence: Populism in Scandinavia

13. Social Capital in the Scandinavian Countries

14. **The Role of the Media in Scandinavian Politics

15. Fiscal Policy in the Scandinavian Countries

16. The Fisheries Policy in the Nordic Countries: From Open Access to Rights-based Management Fisheries

17. Making and Re-making the Nordic Model of Education

18. Immigrant Policies of the Scandinavian Countries

19. Scandinavian Models of Diplomacy

20. Scandinavian Defence and Alliance Policies: Different Together

21. Scandinavia and the European Union: Pragmatic Functionalism Reconsidered

22. The United Nations and the Nordic Four: Cautious Sceptics, Committed Believers, Cost-benefit Calculators

23. Scandinavian Development Policies

24. Conclusions: Scandinavian Polities, Politics and Policies Reconsidered