EXAM, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES SPRING 2015
Political Science, STV1510 – Nordic Politics
Wednesday May 27, 4 hours
You are to answer both exercise 1 and exercise 2. Each exercise will be weighted equally (50% for each) in the final evaluation.
Exercise 1: Here you are to answer either essay A or essay B
A:
What is meant by ‘the Nordic model’? Base your presentation on David Arter’s summary of the ideal-type Nordic model of government. What are the most important elements in this model, elements that distinguish Nordic politics from other old democracies? Finally, to what extent is – in your view - the notion of a Nordic model helpful in understanding the politics in these countries?
B:
The Nordic countries vary greatly in their defence and security policy – some are NATO members, others are non-aligned. Describe these policies and their historical background and discuss the reasons why similar states in a quite similar geo-political setting have made these choices. In addition, discuss whether the disappearance of the Soviet Union changed Finnish and Swedish policies.
Exercise 2: Here you are to answer three of the following four questions (a-d).
a) What is meant by minority, minimal winner and oversized governments? Describe the main trends in governments in Denmark and Sweden over the recent decades.
b) First, explain the three basic principles of the Nordic welfare model: universalism, comprehensiveness and equality. Then, discuss how these principles may have come under pressure from national and international factors.
c) Outline the present party system in Denmark. How does the party system conform with the Scandinavian five-party system and how does it deviate?
d) What is a social cleavage? The Lipset/Rokkan model of social cleavages consists of the centre-periphery cleavage, the religious-secular cleavage and cleavages in the labour and commodity markets. Outline what these cleavages are and how they are relevant for the conflicts between political parties in two Scandinavian countries.