As part of an ongoing series sponsored by the World Affairs Council-Tacoma in collaboration with UW Tacoma, On January 11, Dr. Andreas Udbye presented a talk at UWT titled, “The Nordic Model: What Is It and Can’t We Just Copy It?”  Dr. Udbye, Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Puget Sound, discussed findings that the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) consistently receive the highest scores on global ratings such as the Human Development Index, World Happiness Report, and Democracy Index. Meanwhile the US rankings continue to slide downward. Given this, Dr. Udbye’s talk posed the question of whether the US should adopt and emulate more of the Nordic policies in an effort to stem the decline. 

The main focus of the talk was on key aspects of the Nordic Model, including policies related to social welfare, education, health care, and economic equality, examining the ways in which these contribute to the top ten rankings enjoyed by all of the Nordic countries in the World Happiness Report. Dr. Udbye also shed light on the evolving history of these policies in different countries, including some recent strains tied to growing consumerism and resistance to taxes by wealthier citizens.  Although the title of the talk asked whether the US could “copy” these policies, the talk left relatively unexplored the role culture plays as an underpinning for the Nordic Model, leaving the question of the adaptability and feasibility of the Nordic Model for the US open for further consideration.

Dr. Udbye’s talk inspired a lively Q and A session, and questions remained even after the session was called to a close.  For upcoming World Affairs Council-Tacoma talks by UWT faculty and other local scholars, visit https://www.wactacoma.com/