Nordic social politics in the late twentieth century: an analysis of the political reform agenda

During the last several decades, it has often been suggested that comprehensive and interventionist welfare states will be reduced to a bare minimum due to a number of challenges (e.g. Castells 1997; Greider 1997). Undoubtedly, policy makers in the Nordic countries were under severe pressure during the 1980s and 1990s. All Nordic countries experienced difficult economic problems, although problems in Norway were moderated by income from the oil industry. In particular, policy makers in Finland and Sweden had to deal with the worst recession of the postwar period. Furthermore, many politicians, political advisors and participants in the political debate assumed increased globalization would fundamentally alter conditions for national policy-making.