Successful Public Policy in the Nordic Countries

 

What is Nordic Countries?

The Nordic Countries make up the norther most part of western Europe, extending into the Arctic .They include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, the Faroe Isalands, and in most definitions Greenland as there are long-standing political and linguistic ties.

There is a generalized narrative of ‘high performance’ regarding growth, combined with ‘good government’ around public policy and public administration associated with Nordic countries. There is, furthermore, international scholarly acknowledgement of the advantages of the ‘Nordic’ or ‘Scandinavian’ Model of welfare states and industrial relations in terms of fostering competitiveness along with equality.

The Nordic region is the region in the world with the highest level of generalized trust and trust in government.

The Nordic Region consists of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. You can find useful information about the Nordic Region and each of its countries here.

Facts about Nordic Country

1. Facts about Denmark=Denmark, the most southerly of the Nordic countries, is a small, densely populated country, made up of a large of islands skirted by lovely beaches.
2. Facts about Finland=Lakes and forests characterise the expansive Finnish landscape. Finland is also renowned for mobile phones, design and Moomins.
3. Facts about Iceland=Iceland, the volcanic island in the north Atlantic is famous for its hot springs and dramatic scenery.
4. Facts about Norway=For many, Norway is synonymous with oil and mountains. Its dramatic, beautiful scenery stretches from the beaches and cliffs in the south through the mountainous areas in the middle to the midnight sun at the North Cape.
5. Facts about Sweden=The largest country in the Nordic Region is also the one with the biggest population. For many, Sweden is synonymous with the production of high-quality cars, iron and steel.
6. Facts about the Faroe Islands=Fisheries and rugged scenery characterise the Faroe Islands, an archipelago in the North Atlantic
7. Facts about Greenland=The inhabitants of Greenland originate from Central Asia. The country is part of the North American continent, but geopolitically the island is part of Europe.
8. Facts about Aland= Åland consists of 6,757 islands situated midway between Sweden and Finland. Although Åland is part of Finland, Ålanders speak Swedish.

What is Policy?

• Policy is a law, regulation, procedure, administrative action, incentive, or voluntary practice of governments and other institutions. Policy decisions are frequently reflected in resource allocations. 
• Health can be influenced by policies in many different sectors. For example, transportation policies can encourage physical activity(pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly communitydesign); policies in schools can improve nutritionalcontent of school meals.
• -A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as abasis for making decisions, especially in politics, economics, or business.
• -Policies are directed into sets of procedures that are followed to act upon policies. Policies represent a goal or plan and procedures detail the individual steps set forth to achieve the long-term goal that is an organization's policy. It is important for an organization to provide thoroughly developed
• policies to its individual members to effectively a certain organization to achieve its goals.  
• Robert Eyestone terms public policy as "the relationship of government unit to its environment.
• Thomas R. Dye says that "public policy is whatever government chooses to do or not to do"
• Richard Rose says that "public policy is not a decision, it is a course or pattern of activity.
• Carl J. Friedrich's opinion public policy is a proposed course action of a person, group or government within a given environment providing opportunities and obstacles which the policy was proposed to utilize. 

 Identifying and Understanding Policy Successes 

1. Through public policies, governments have enormous potential to shape the lives of their citizens. Actions taken at any given time can affect both present conditions and future trajectories. 
2. Much is at stake when new public policies are forged or when established ones are reformed, and it behaoves governments to learn from past experiences and avoid earlier errors as well as emulate past successes.

  Inclusive policymaking 

1. The institutions enabling this corporatist-consultative-inclusive route to policy success commonly associated with the ‘Nordic model’ include the structures and routines of parliamentary committees, and the tradition of institutionalized consultations of stakeholders (or mini-publics). 
2. These strong institutions serve to pace the work of ‘getting to yes’ about policy reforms, acting as holding environments and institutional incubators and sometimes refrigerators to work through contending policy solutions and mitigate political conflict.

  Anticipatory policymaking

1. In the wind-energy and organic-farming cases, Danish publics were mobilized by depictions of the policy as an example of an alleged national propensity for forward-thinking, and smart and agile innovation. 
2. In several cases—such as Icelandic electricity and energy policy, Danish pension reform, Swedish budget policy, or the Norwegian oil fund, we can see the chief policy architects explicitly taking a long-term perspective as the basis for framing innovative national projects and strategic reforms.

 Powerful metanarratives 

1. In large segments of the community in all five countries appear to pride themselves on being considered socially progressive, including being seen to be world-leading on measures to advance gender equality and progressive family policies, including earmarked parental leave—successful in Sweden and Iceland—and universally available high-quality childcare—in Denmark. 
2. Proposed policy changes or institutional reforms were often claimed to be perfecting, expanding or preserving the national welfare state, in which all citizens have high standards of living, including wages, well-being, the ideal of gender equality and other symbols that appeal to national sensibilities. 
3. The Nordic countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, are known for their successful public policies that have led to high levels of social welfare, economic prosperity, and overall well-being. These countries have implemented a range of policies that have contributed to their success. 

Here are some key features of successful public policy in the Nordic countries:

1. Social Welfare: Nordic countries prioritize social welfare and have comprehensive social security systems in place. They provide universal access to healthcare, education, and social services. These countries have low levels of income inequality and poverty rates compared to many other nations.
2. Education: Education is highly valued in the Nordic countries, and they have invested significantly in high-quality education systems. They offer free education at all levels, including universities, and have a strong focus on vocational training. This emphasis on education has helped create a highly skilled workforce and fostered innovation and economic growth.
3. Labor Market Policies: The Nordic countries have implemented labor market policies that promote flexibility, social dialogue, and worker protection. They have strong labor unions and collective bargaining systems, which ensure fair working conditions and wages. These policies contribute to low unemployment rates and a strong sense of social cohesion.
4. Gender Equality: Nordic countries have made significant progress in achieving gender equality. They have implemented policies to promote equal opportunities for men and women in the workplace, including paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and flexible work arrangements. These policies have helped increase female labor force participation and reduce gender pay gaps.
5. Sustainable Development: Nordic countries are at the forefront of sustainable development initiatives. They have implemented policies to promote renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and protect the environment. These countries have invested in clean technologies and sustainable infrastructure, leading to a high quality of life and a commitment to addressing climate change.
6. Trust in Institutions: Nordic societies have high levels of trust in their public institutions. This trust is built on transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making processes. Citizens have a strong voice in shaping public policies through democratic processes, which enhances the legitimacy and effectiveness of policies.

The success of public policy in the Nordic countries can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a strong social contract between citizens and the state, a commitment to social solidarity, and a long-term perspective on societal development. These countries have shown that it is possible to achieve a balance between economic prosperity, social welfare, and sustainability through well-designed and inclusive public policies. Their experiences provide valuable lessons for other nations seeking to enhance the well-being of their citizens and create a more equitable and sustainable society.