SAMFUNNSVITENSKAPELIG EMBEDSEKSAMEN VÅR 2010

Statsvitenskap, STV1510 – Nordic Politics

Thursday May 6, 4 hours

You are to answer both exercise 1 and exercise 2. Each exercise will be weighted equally (50% each) for the final evaluation.

Exercise 1: here you are to answer either essay A or essay B

Either:

Describe the Scandinavian/Nordic five party model and specific traits of the party systems of each of the Nordic countries in the 1950s and the 1960s.

Outline changes in the party systems since the 1960s and discuss how relevant the model is today for each of the five Nordic countries.

Or:

The Nordic states have very different security and defence policies after WWII: Finland had a "pact of friendship" with the USSR, Sweden remained neutral, whereas Norway, Denmark, and Iceland joined NATO. Explain the reasons for these differences, given the similarities of the Nordic states. Further, how has EU membership and NATO partnership for Sweden and Finland impacted on their security policy?

Exercise 2: Here you are to answer three of the following four questions (a-d). The answers will be weighted equally for the final evaluation, and together they will count for 50% of the final evaluation.

a) What is meant by parliamentarism? Outline some characteristic traits of the Nordic parliaments and Nordic parliamentarism.

b) From a comparative perspective the systems of local government and politics found in the Nordic countries are often said represent a special if not unique type. Do you agree with this suggestion? Briefly indicate on what grounds you base your opinion.

c) In the Nordic countries, political representatives appear to cultivate a remarkable image of modesty. What are the roots of such attitudes and are they likely to persist?

d) Norway remains outside the EU, Iceland has applied for membership, and the other Nordics are members. Analyse why this pattern is so varied.