1. Scandinavian politics
Consensus democracies?

2. Characteristics Later in democratizing Relatively homogeneous
But becoming more diverse
Multiparty politics
Long periods of Social Democratic dominance in Norway, Sweden & to a lesser extent, Denmark – now eroding
Welfare states
Consensus democracy?

3. Party systems Product of social & economic cleavages
Use of proportional representation
Typical configuration:
Left Socialists or Socialist Peoples
Social Democrats (SD)
Centre (Agrarians, Radikalen in DK)
Liberals (Agrarian Liberals in DK)
Christian Peoples (Norway)
Conservatives
New right populists

4. Welfare states
Aim: insure against uncertainties of life in industrial societies: impoverishment as a result
Unemployment
Illness & disability
Industrial accident
Old age
Characteristics:
Universal: equal benefits available to all
Insurance-based
Run by state and/or social partners
Complemented by economic management intended to produce growth, employment & well-being

5. Origins:
Sweden:
Historic compromise in the 1930s (1938 Saltjöbaden agreements – cow trade)
Employers recognize power of Social Democratic government
Unions and Social Democrats recognize right of owners to earn profit
Reinforced by Social Democratic hegemony
Supplemented by
Counter-cyclical demand management (Keynsianism)
Solidaristic wage policies:

7. Consensus democracy? Consensus around what?
Impact of Social Democracy & Social Democratic hegemony
Points of disagreement?
How democratic is consensus democracy?