Peter Nedergaard is Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Anders Wivel is Professor with special responsibilities at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

‘All things Scandinavian are in fashion. But this fantastic volume urges us to see the Nordic countries as increasingly integrated in Europe and the world, even as each nation retains some of its distinctiveness. No other book in the market offers such a sophisticated, balanced, and rich analysis of Nordic politics and societies.’ - Francesco Duina, Bates College, USA.‘This book brilliantly captures both the traditional and changing features of Scandinavian polities, politics and policies. The authors, by combining Scandinavian past and present, catch the essence of Scandinavian domestic and external affairs and shed light on how states can flourish in turbulent times.’ - Baldur Thorhallsson, University of Iceland, Iceland.‘The terms "Scandinavia" and "the Nordic model" tend to be used with increasing flexibility. This calls for a critical discussion of the Nordic examples in all their complexity and this impressively comprehensive handbook explores both the achievements and the challenges of the Nordic countries. It is essential for anyone interested in the Nordic societies, within or outside the region itself.’ - Johan Strang, University of Helsinki, Finland.

• 1. Introduction: Scandinavian Politics between Myth and Reality 2. The Modern Scandinavian Welfare State3. The Egalitarian Paradise? 4. Still the Corporatist Darlings? 5. The Green 'Heavyweights': The Climate Policies of the Nordic Countries 6. Goldilocks' Frankenstein Monster: The Rise, Political Entrenchment and Transformation of the Scandinavian Welfare States 7. Nordic Administrative Traditions8. Cabinets and Ministerial Turnover in the Scandinavian Countries9. The Parliaments of the Scandinavian Countries 10. Nordic Voters and Party Systems 11. Public Opinion and Politics in Scandinavia 12. Continuity and Convergence: Populism in Scandinavia13. Social Capital in the Scandinavian Countries 14. The Role of the Media in Scandinavian Politics 15. Fiscal Policy in the Scandinavian Countries 16. The Fisheries Policy in the Nordic Countries: From Open Access to Rights-based Management Fisheries17. Making and Re-making the Nordic Model of Education18. Immigrant Policies of the Scandinavian Countries 19. Scandinavian Models of Diplomacy20. Scandinavian Defence and Alliance Policies: Different Together 21. Scandinavia and the European Union: Pragmatic Functionalism Reconsidered22. The United Nations and the Nordic Four: Cautious Sceptics, Committed Believers, Cost-benefit Calculators23. Scandinavian Development Policies 24. Conclusions: Scandinavian Polities, Politics and Policies Reconsidered

Peter Nedergaard is Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Anders Wivel is Professor with special responsibilities at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

‘All things Scandinavian are in fashion. But this fantastic volume urges us to see the Nordic countries as increasingly integrated in Europe and the world, even as each nation retains some of its distinctiveness. No other book in the market offers such a sophisticated, balanced, and rich analysis of Nordic politics and societies.’ - Francesco Duina, Bates College, USA.‘This book brilliantly captures both the traditional and changing features of Scandinavian polities, politics and policies. The authors, by combining Scandinavian past and present, catch the essence of Scandinavian domestic and external affairs and shed light on how states can flourish in turbulent times.’ - Baldur Thorhallsson, University of Iceland, Iceland.‘The terms "Scandinavia" and "the Nordic model" tend to be used with increasing flexibility. This calls for a critical discussion of the Nordic examples in all their complexity and this impressively comprehensive handbook explores both the achievements and the challenges of the Nordic countries. It is essential for anyone interested in the Nordic societies, within or outside the region itself.’ - Johan Strang, University of Helsinki, Finland.

• 1. Introduction: Scandinavian Politics between Myth and Reality 2. The Modern Scandinavian Welfare State3. The Egalitarian Paradise? 4. Still the Corporatist Darlings? 5. The Green 'Heavyweights': The Climate Policies of the Nordic Countries 6. Goldilocks' Frankenstein Monster: The Rise, Political Entrenchment and Transformation of the Scandinavian Welfare States 7. Nordic Administrative Traditions8. Cabinets and Ministerial Turnover in the Scandinavian Countries9. The Parliaments of the Scandinavian Countries 10. Nordic Voters and Party Systems 11. Public Opinion and Politics in Scandinavia 12. Continuity and Convergence: Populism in Scandinavia13. Social Capital in the Scandinavian Countries 14. The Role of the Media in Scandinavian Politics 15. Fiscal Policy in the Scandinavian Countries 16. The Fisheries Policy in the Nordic Countries: From Open Access to Rights-based Management Fisheries17. Making and Re-making the Nordic Model of Education18. Immigrant Policies of the Scandinavian Countries 19. Scandinavian Models of Diplomacy20. Scandinavian Defence and Alliance Policies: Different Together 21. Scandinavia and the European Union: Pragmatic Functionalism Reconsidered22. The United Nations and the Nordic Four: Cautious Sceptics, Committed Believers, Cost-benefit Calculators23. Scandinavian Development Policies 24. Conclusions: Scandinavian Polities, Politics and Policies Reconsidered