CERC Public Seminar: 'The relevance of social democracy in northern Europe to Australia'

Tuesday 2 May 1:00-2:00pm
at Room 421, Level 4, 234 Queensberry Street, The University of Melbourne
(NB not usual CERC seminar venue)

presented by

Dr Andrew Scott

(Senior Lecturer in the School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning at RMIT University)

Abstract

Social democrats in English-speaking countries have frequently looked to Sweden and its neighbours as offering a policy model combining economic prosperity with social equality. In recent decades this admiration has dissipated due to a sense that comprehensive welfare provision in the Nordic nations is in retreat and that policy options for small states have been reduced by 'globalisation'. Yet there remains strong evidence of economic and social achievement in various northern European nations, maintained by distinctive ongoing policies. This paper reviews Australian policy interest in Scandinavia in particular, and the extent to which social democracy in the north of Europe remains intact and relevant.

Biography

Dr Andrew Scott is currently on leave from his position as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning at RMIT University. He has been appointed this year as an honorary Fellow of CERC. Andrew is the author of two books including a critical comparison of the 'modernisation' of the British and Australian labour parties, several refereed papers or book chapters and many newspaper articles on issues concerning labour and social democratic parties.