Description
Book SynopsisThis book addresses the effect that institutional settings typical to the Nordic countries have upon people's attitudes and behaviour. Placed within a European comparative perspective, the analyses presented by the contributing authors centre around issues relating to the welfare state, politics, family and work, as well as cultural concerns including economic morality and religiosity. Despite differences between the Nordic countries, the overall impression given is of a shared outlook and way of life. In the European context, the Nordic countries particularly stand out as a distinct group therefore demonstrating their institutional similarities.
Providing highly rigorous and up-to-date data, with a wide coverage of topics, this book will be of great interest to academics and students in sociology, social policy and political science. It will also appeal to anyone interested in the Nordic countries in general.
Trade Review'For outsiders, the popularity and social sustainability of the extensive scope of Nordic welfare states, such as the strong role of the state and high levels of taxation, remains something of a mystery. Making use of recent international survey data, this important book goes some way towards solving this mystery. It underlines the remarkable success of Nordic welfare institutions which help to maintain not only low rates of poverty and inequality, but high levels of well-being, trust, social capital and political participation.' -- Jochen Clasen, University of Edinburgh, UK
'Nordic welfare states have long enjoyed a leadership position in the provision of social welfare. They are now caught up in the current of thorough-going reform that is sweeping across Europe. This book uses data from the European Social Survey in fresh and innovative ways to demonstrate the resilience of Nordic models and to show how political discourses are changing across a whole range of policy areas.' -- Peter Taylor-Gooby, University of Kent, UK
Table of ContentsContents: Foreword Roger Jowell 1. The Nordic Model Heikki Ervasti, Torben Fridberg, Mikael Hjerm, Olli Kangas and Kristen Ringdal 2. The Welfare State, Poverty and Social Exclusion Torben Fridberg and Olli Kangas 3. Health and Happiness Terje Andreas Eikemo, Arne Mastekaasa and Kristen Ringdal 4. Social Capital Torben Fridberg and Olli Kangas 5. Who Should Decide? A Comparative Analysis of Multilevel Governance in Europe Linda Berg and Mikael Hjerm 6. Political Activism Frode Berglund, Øyvin Kleven and Kristen Ringdal 7. Trust in Political Institutions Ola Listhaug and Kristen Ringdal 8. Disagreement About the Division of Work Among Couples in Europe: The Role of Gender Ideology and Labour Involvement Mikael Nordenmark 9. Non-standard Employment and Job Quality Heikki Ervasti 10. Attitudes Towards Immigrants Heikki Ervasti, Torben Fridberg and Mikael Hjerm 11. Economic Morality Kristen Ringdal 12. The Meaning and Implications of Religiosity Heikki Ervasti 13. Conclusion: Nordic Uniqueness, Reality or Myth? Heikki Ervasti, Torben Fridberg, Mikael Hjerm and Kristen Ringdal Appendix: Data Source and Statistical Methods Mikael Hjerm and Kristen Ringdal Index
