Re‐activating the Nordic welfare states: do we find a distinct universalistic model?

Abstract

Purpose -To clarify the core characteristics of Nordic activation policies in the context of typologies of European activation governance. Design/methodology/approach -The paper analyses activation governance in the light of the basic values and beliefs behind the formation of the Nordic social protection systems in the mid-20th century. Recent model-building efforts see the Nordic countries as being close to a ''universalistic'' and egalitarian type of activation policy that does not systematically submit citizens to work requirements. The authors ask whether this model captures the actual scope and contents of Nordic activation governance. Findings -The Nordic countries-based relatively generous income security systems on a strong work ethic and ambitions to maximise labour market participation of the working-age population. Citizens's rights to income security were generally linked to the fulfilment of work requirements. Although this active governance of unemployed citizens eroded in the 1970s and 1980s all the Nordic countries revived it after 1990. Largely reflecting the dual structure of the income protection system, Nordic active approaches to activation are not egalitarian. Research limitations/implications -Nordic countries are currently implementing major administrative reforms in social protection, possibly creating more unified and egalitarian governance of activation. Future research needs to assess the impact of these reforms. Originality/value -The article presents an analysis of activation policies that so far has been missing from comparative research and that will be of particular value for non-Nordic readers who may have received a biased view of Nordic activation policies.

Towards standby‐ability: Swedish and Danish activation policies in flux

“…To counteract this development, the individual is obliged to be activated, even through enforcement (Torfing, ). This corresponds to an ‘incentive‐strengthening approach’ aimed at the withdrawal of income support and a shift of public resources to ‘improve the relative rewards of being in work’ (Johansson & Hvinden, , p. 335). It also corresponds to the so‐called ‘paternalism optimists’ approach where state intervention through ‘enforced emancipation’ is a guiding principle in order to activate ‘passive’ social benefit recipients (van Berkel & Hornemann Møller, ).…”

“…In accordance with the basic value and policy belief of the ‘work line’, Scandinavian governments have used employment‐promoting policies to turn most adult citizens into working people (Johansson & Hvinden, ; Junestav, ). ALMP were a key element in the Swedish postwar policies that were very much influenced by the so‐called Rehn‐Meidner model.…”

“…The main focus of the article is on Sweden, where more extensive ALMP were pioneered in the mid‐20th century (Bonoli, ; Johansson & Hvinden, ). Sweden has a long tradition of ALMP and social policy arrangements that emphasise paid labour as a basic condition for economic compensations.…”

What can and cannot be willed: how politicians talk about national identity and immigrants

“…The Scandinavian welfare states are small and open economies that combine universalism with generous support for low‐wage groups or groups marginalised by the labour market. This is accompanied by a strong focus on full employment and the work ethic of citizens (Andersen ; Johansson and Hvinden ). Even though the degree of similarity is debatable, studies still conclude that in a European context they cluster in terms of low poverty rates, high gender equality, generous social and unemployment policies, and expenditure on activation measures (Jochem ; Johansson and Hvinden ; Kautto et al.…”

Challenges in delivering brand promise – focusing on municipal health care organisations

“…However, the welfare model is under intense pressure (Forsander, 2004;Johansson and Hvinden, 2007;Wahl, 2007) as the economic and human resources available to public-sector organisations diminish even as challenges mount. Finland's public-healthcare sector, for example, is struggling to maintain high-quality service provision and is introducing multiple structural and organisational reforms.…”