A key debate in the 1980s and 1990s revolves around the growing power of globalization and, in the European context, Europeanization. For many, stressing the revolutionary increase in capital mobility and the subsequent decline in national autonomy, the end of the nation-state has arrived. For others, noting the remarkable resilience of national institutions and welfare state structures, national distinctions remain paramount.

Denmark, Norway and Sweden lie at the heart of this debate. With extensive welfare states, high levels of social rights, powerful social democratic parties and trade-union movements and strong economic performance records, they remain islands of social democratic success in an increasingly neo-liberal economic ocean. Can this be maintained or are we witnessing the end of the social democratic era?

This book attempts to answer this question by exploring the development of Scandinavian economic policy, welfare state/social policy and social democratic strategies. It argues that Scandinavian social democracy is under substantial global and European pressure. Nevertheless, despite various difficulties and adjustments, it continues to maintain its distinct social demo-cratic profile, demonstrating that social democracy continues to survive in the new global and European order.

List of tables and figures
Acknowledgements
Notes on the contributors
Introduction
PART I: ECONOMIC POLICY
Europeanization and the Crisis of Scandinavian Social Democracy
Bad Timing; Recommodification, Credit Reform and Crises of Coordination in Norway and Sweden in the 1980s and 1990s
Floating Fortunes: Scandinavian Full Employment in the Tumultous 1970s-1980s
PART II: WELFARE STATE AND SOCIAL POLICY
Social Democratic Welfare States in a Global Economy: Scandinavia in Comparative Perspective
Equality and Swedish Social Democracy: The Impact of Globalization and Europeanization
Europeanization and the Scandinavian Model: Securing Borders and Defending Monopolies
PART III: SOCIAL DEMOCRACY AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
Just Say No! Norwegian Social Democrats and the European Union
The Impact of Globalization and European Integration on the Danish Social Democratic Party
Making Peace with the Union? The Swedish Social Democratic Party and European Integration
Reference
Index

DR ROBERT GEYER teaches at the University of Liverpool. He has written extensively on Scandinavian social democracy and European Union social policy. His books include, The Uncertain Union: British and Norwegian Social Democrats in an Integrating Europe and European Union Social Policy: An Introduction and Exploration.

CHRISTINE INGEBRITSEN is Assistant Professor of Politics, Department of Scandinavian Studies, and Adjunct Professor in the Henry Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, USA. Her publications include The Nordic States and European Unity, Redefining National Security, Pulling in Different Directions: The Europeanization of Scandinavian Political Economies and Tamed Power.

JONATHON W. MOSES is Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Political Science at the University of Trondheim, Norway.