The Nordic welfare model is often hailed as a model in international forums. Few other countries in the world provide such a good and well-developed financial safety net for their citizens. The idea of equal opportunities for all is all-pervasive in the Nordic countries. In practice, it has resulted in huge efforts to reduce economic inequality.
While the Reformation, people’s movements and the workers’ movement all brought about wide-ranging social change, it was only when the countries of the Region were rebuilding in the wake of World War II that the welfare state took shape and the Nordic model emerged. The aim of the model is to create space for high standards of living, combined with low levels of inequality – and all based on healthy national finances and spreading the benefits throughout the population.
The Nordic countries’ relatively small size and their pre-existing civil society associations and public bodies made it possible to establish flat hierarchies. Similarly, collective efforts to develop the welfare state were made possible by the Nordic principles of openness, transparency and freedom of expression. This openness has given rise to an unusually high level of trust in other people and in official agencies, which means people are willing to pay relatively high taxes in order to fund welfare provision. Nor is welfare provisions based on individual tax contributions. It is based on need and circ*mstances.
The Nordic model today
The modern Nordic model is characterised by a public sector that provides its citizens with welfare services and a social safety net. Specifically, this includes child benefits, parental leave, health services and hospitals, all of which are free at the point of delivery. The public sector also looks after sick and unemployed people and senior citizens. The basic values underpinning the model are compassion, tolerance and the conviction that all humans are of equal worth.
Nordic welfare is built on the idea of good health for all. Universal initiatives have enabled the Nordic countries to combat infectious diseases through vaccination and to make significant progress in combating lifestyle diseases via alcohol policy and smoking bans.
Socio-economic equality is a key characteristic of the Nordic countries and helps create safe and secure societies. This is reflected in the statistics, e.g. for better health and longer life expectancy.
Pressure on the model
The basic principle underpinning the welfare state is that citizens have the right to help. They are also expected to contribute to society. Popular participation in a wide range of different groups and associations enriches Nordic culture, strengthens democracy and contributes to higher quality of life. The Nordic countries top the international rankings for openness, trust and happiness.
In a society where the majority are relatively comfortable, people are less likely to feel excluded. That does not mean, however, that there is no poverty, health inequality or exclusion in the Region, and these issues are still on the political agenda. The ability to continually adapt to new challenges is a prerequisite for preserving the Nordic model and for coming up with innovative new welfare solutions.
FAQs
Social welfare policy may be defined as government's response to human needs such as food, housing, healthcare, employment, and other necessities. Many contemporary U.S. social welfare policies have roots in the New Deal programs of the 1930s, which were responses to the Great Depression.
What is the welfare approach in social policy? ›
The main goal of social welfare policies is to provide a safety net to those who need support due to situations such as poverty, unemployment, poor health, disability, or other circ*mstances that we as a society have deemed as requiring outside assistance.
What is the social welfare policy quizlet? ›
Social Welfare Policy is anything government chooses to do, or not to do, that affects the quality of life of its people. Social welfare policy concerns those interrelated, but not necessarily logically consistent, principles, guidelines, and procedures designed to deal with the problem of dependency in our society.
What is social policy in America what three main things do social policies try to accomplish what are some examples? ›
Social policy aims to improve human welfare and to meet human needs for education, health, housing and economic security.
Which is an example of a social policy? ›
These include child maintenance support, state education, social housing, unemployment benefit, statutory healthcare and state pensions.
Why is social policy important? ›
Social policy is important as the means by which governments, families, businesses and organisations can have a positive impact on welfare and social protection.
What is the main concept of the social welfare? ›
Social welfare could be defined as the many programs that are designed to help people in need of goods and services that they are unable to provide for themselves. Local, state, and federal government programs are available.
Why is it important to study and understand social welfare policies? ›
Studying social welfare policy is important because it allows us to understand how societies allocate resources to address the various needs of their citizens. Social welfare policies are designed to promote social justice, reduce poverty, and provide for the well-being of individuals and families.
What is the social welfare policy theory? ›
Social welfare policy usually represents the culmination of many social, political, and economic events. A policy is shaped by the values and beliefs of its supporters and influenced by social and economic conditions, timing of policy development, or a combination of these and other factors.
What is the welfare state and social policy? ›
Thus, the concept of Welfare State arose from the growing need of State as a provider of Welfare. And by welfare, they mean minimum standards in health, housing, income and education below which citizens could not fall, in the nation's interest. Hence Welfare State was more or less seen as a Social Safety Net.
Social protection, or social security, provides benefits to individuals on the basis of risks faced across the life cycle (e.g., unemployment, disability, maternity, etc.) and to those suffering general poverty and social exclusion.
Is Social Security a welfare policy? ›
In the United States, the term "social security" is used to cover a large portion of the field of social welfare. This term first came into general use in the United States in 1935, during the Great Depression, when the Social Security Act was passed. It quickly achieved world-wide usage.
What is social welfare policy? ›
Social welfare policy — which guides the government programs that assist people in need — builds on the idea that a government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from harm. According to the principle, a society can thrive only when it provides safeguards for those who face risks to their well-being.
How does welfare benefit society? ›
Key Takeaways
A social welfare system offers assistance to individuals and families in need, with such programs as health care assistance, food stamps, and unemployment compensation. Lesser known parts of a social welfare system include disaster relief and educational assistance.
Why is welfare important? ›
Welfare programs ensure that the most fundamental needs of individuals and families are met. This includes access to nutritious food, safe housing, clean water, and access to toilets, clean water etc. When people have these essentials, they can live with dignity and security.
What is the meaning of social welfare? ›
Social welfare could be defined as the many programs that are designed to help people in need of goods and services that they are unable to provide for themselves. Local, state, and federal government programs are available.
What is the difference between public policy and social welfare policy? ›
Social policy is focussed on addressing and resolving social issues specifically, such as racial and health disparities and educational and economic inequality, while public policy broadly covers any government-related actions concerning the general public at large.
