Abstract
The Nordic Region has engaged in cooperation to a large extent driven by and based on the shared tradition, cohesion and experience. It draws much of its strength from flexibility and its ability to adapt to the changing needs. This creates an increasingly positive image of the Nordic countries as leaders in many key areas in the contemporary world. These are the states perceived as distinct communities functioning in a way which shapes the specificity of the Nordic Region.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
See: C. Archer, Norway outside the EU. Norway and European integration from 1994 to 2004.
- 2.
See: Szelągowska G., Dania.
- 3.
40 % population resides in Reykjavik.
- 4.
- 5.
The high numbers of elderly people is a combination of two factors: increased longevity and lower birthrate, though the latter is still higher than in other European countries.
- 6.
Data after: Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) per capita GDP, http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2014&ey=2014&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=16&pr1.y=7&c.
- 7.
In the ranking of 2009, Denmark was listed as number, Sweden 6, Finland 9, and Norway 11, IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. It should be noted that the data did not account for the results of the economic crisis of 2008.
- 8.
A general ranking of 61 economies on the basis of http://www.imd.org/uupload/IMD.WebSite/Wcc/NewTalentReport/Talent_2015_web.pdf.
- 9.
Data on the basis of https://worldcompetitiveness.imd.org/countryprofile.
- 10.
A membership of the Nordic countries in international organizations is a sovereign decision of each of them.
- 11.
Denmark and Sweden still remain outside of the Euro zone.
- 12.
See: C. Ingebritsen, I. Neumann, S. Gstohl, J. Beyer, Small States in International Relations.
- 13.
In the past, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden were members of EFTA.
- 14.
In March 2007, at a seminar with the participation of Jonas G. Störe (Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs), both gentlemen debated on the role which the Nordic countries could play in the new world order, presenting the Norwegian and French viewpoints, respectively; see: J. Attali, Krótka historia przyszłości.
- 15.
For data on the Nordic states see: Nordic Statistic 2013, Facts about the Nordic countries · Fakta om de nordiska länderna, Nordisk statistisk årsbok 2013 or: The Nordic Region in an International Perspective. Nordic co-operation in a European framework 2007, pp. 105–118.
- 16.
For example, see: UNDP Human Development Index, or the GDP indicators per capita. See also a comparative table presented in: Ch. Ketels, Global pressure – Nordic Solutions? pp. 14–29.
- 17.
Nordic Council of Ministers office in Tallinn: www.norden.ee, Nordic Council of Ministers office in Riga: www.norden.lv/en/main, Nordic Council of Ministers office in Vilnius: www.norden.lt.
- 18.
More on the Baltic States cooperation in Chapter 14.
- 19.
More on the subject at: Nordiskt samarbete med Estland, Lettland och Litauen.
- 20.
“The Nordic Council of Ministers Nordplus Programme offers financial support to educational cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries. Nordplus is for young and old alike, and can be used to establish contact with other interested parties in both the Nordic and Baltic countries.” The International Nordic Region. (2013). p. 7.
- 21.
See: M. Stuermer, Putin i odrodzenie Rosji.
- 22.
See: Norden’s high five to the neighbourhood.
- 23.
HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission) is the governing body of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, known as the Helsinki Convention. The Contracting Parties are Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden, http://helcom.fi/about-us.
- 24.
See: M. Heikkilä, The Northern Dimension, and R. M. Czarny, M. Tomala, Wymiar Północny Unii Europejskiej. Studium rozwoju.
- 25.
See: T. Konthe, M. Wierzbicka, Rada Nordycka.
- 26.
See: E. Fløtten, The Barents Co-operation – where do we go from here? and O. Schram Stokke, O. Tunander, The Barents Region. Cooperation in Arctic Europe.
- 27.
Translated by R. M. Czarny.
- 28.
It should be noted that it was the Nordic Council of Ministers which managed to organize an informal meeting of these four regional organizations on the occasion of the conference on the Northern Dimension in Helsinki in January 2007. In addition, the Latvian presidency of the Council of the Baltic States is planning a next meeting of these organizations, this time an official one. See: contents of the speech made by C. Husmark Pehrsson (minister of the Swedish government responsible for Nordic cooperation).
- 29.
Translated by R. M. Czarny.
- 30.
European Union as a whole is the biggest donor of development aid. EU member states and its institutions donated 58.2 billion euro in 2014, which makes up 0.42 % of EU’s GNP, as compared to 56.9 billion in 2013.
- 31.
For example, the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness of 2005 points to the reduction of poverty as the main goal of development aid but also obliges donors to refrain from tied aid, i.e. avoid disbursing aid under the condition that the beneficiary uses it to purchase goods and services from the donor country, and to improve the cohesion of the policies on development aid.
- 32.
Data on percentages of GDP in individual countries look as follows: place number 2 – Sweden – 0.99 %; 3 Norway – 0.93 %; 4 Dania – 0.84 %; 7 Finland – 0.53 % and 17 Iceland – 0.22 %, http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/aidtopoorcountriesslipsfurtherasgovernmentstightenbudgets.htm.
- 33.
See Chap. 12.
- 34.
The report also indicates the weak sides of the Swedish development aid policy: Sweden performed less well (from the point of view of developing countries) when it came to investment, security, and technology, in part because of the country’s high level of arms exports to poor and relatively undemocratic governments, and for its unwillingness to share technological advances with poor countries. The issue of arms export to non-democratic countries is an important blemish on the image of Swedish international policy as exemplary in realizing humanitarian ideals.
- 35.
One of the tasks of IDEA is conducting research on democratic method of preventing and solving armed conflicts.
- 36.
This does not only concern foreign policy as proven by the example of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund (Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF). Kristin Halvorsen, Norwegian Minister of Finance, explains the principles of managing the assets of the fund in the following way: “We wish to be responsible investors and have therefore established ethical guidelines for the fund. We have two main ethical obligations: first, to ensure financial returns so that future generations benefit from the oil wealth. Second, to respect fundamental rights of those who are affected by the companies in which the fund invests. Since we think long-term returns benefit from adherence to generally accepted norms of ethical behaviour, we see no contradiction between these two goals.” (Kristin Halvorsen, “Norway’s Sovereign Fund Sets an Ethical Example,” Financial Times, February 15, 2008). The Norwegian SWF has several interesting characteristics: long-term investment horizons, no leverage and no demands for the imminent withdrawal of funds. SWFs have a strong risk-bearing capacity and ability to accommodate short-term volatility. Managers aim for international best practice and the exercise of ownership rights is based on internationally accepted principles such as the United Nations Global Compact and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines on corporate governance and multinational enterprises.
- 37.
Then Nordic Council President, who during his term in the office in 2006 engaged mainly in developing the Nordic welfare model as an instrument of competitiveness in global economy, strengthening the cooperation of the Baltic Sea Region countries (especially with the Russian Federation) and abolishing barriers in border transfers. He also instigated the changes in the sessions of the Council which required higher quality political debates in Norden. He currently continues his engagement in these issues as a member of the Presidium of the Nordic Council and leader of the Social Democratic Group in the Council.
- 38.
Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Council published the Annual Report 2005 titled “Norden som global vinnarregion.” The report describes Nordic values as “cutting edge” in international competition (translated by R. M. Czarny).
- 39.
More on the Nordic model, among others, in: Nordycki model demokracji i państwa dobrobytu; U. Lundberg, K. Amark, Rozwój państwa socjalnego w Szwecji w XX wieku, pp. 237–272; B. Janik, Kapitalizm w ujęciu dynamicznym (od państwa dobrobytu do globalizacji); P. Abrahamson, The Scandinavian Model of Welfare. Comparing social welfare system In Nordic Europe and France; E. S. Einhorn, J. Logue, Can the Scandinavian Model Adapt to Globalization.
- 40.
Finland, which assumed the presidency in the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2007, presented the plans in the program called “Möjligheternas Norden – nära Dig” (Nordic Region of Opportunity – Close to You). The priorities assigned were as follows: Nordic competitiveness and welfare, innovativeness and research cooperation, Baltic cooperation, continued development and energy policy. Owing to these, in Finnish opinion, the Nordic cooperation will be more visible and clearer not only in the closest environment.
- 41.
NordForsk and the Nordic Innovation Centre (NICe) are to serve to this end. NordForsk is an organization under the Nordic Council of Ministers that provides funding for Nordic research cooperation as well as advice and input on Nordic research policy. It is also responsible for the cooperation and coordination with NICe. NordForsk focuses on the research in the areas in which Nordic states are a scientific powerhouse if not world leaders. NICe is a Nordic institution which is to support and promote innovativeness and implementation of knowledge in Norden economy. It should also attempt to make Norden an efficient internal market with no borders.
- 42.
See: Valtioneuvosto.
- 43.
Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Iceland.
- 44.
See also: Norden samlas kring klimatfrågorna, norden-nyheter.
- 45.
See: R. M. Czarny, Państwa regionu nordyckiego wobec problemu bezpieczeństwa energetycznego.
- 46.
See: Statminister Fredrik Reinfeldt står värd för det första Nordiska Globariseringsforumet.
- 47.
The participants included prime ministers, ministers for Nordic cooperation, representatives of the Nordic Council, but importantly also representatives of the autonomous territories, business, industry, media, education and research, non-governmental organizations and state officials. The speakers included, among others: U. E. Jensen (Baltic Development Forum), E. Tuomioja (President of the Nordic Council, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland), L. Josefsson (Managing Director, Vattenfall), J. F. Baksaas (Managing Director, Telenor), T. Palsson (Editor-in-chief of Friettabladid), K. Fløgstad (writer), A. Brunila (President of the Finnish Forest Industries), N. Lundblad (Columbia University), Q. Peel (journalist, Financial Times), A. Sapir (Free University Brussels).
- 48.
An interesting commentary on the Forum was published by Dagens Nyheter, April 10, 2008.
- 49.
From the welcoming speech at the Forum; quoted after Norden tar nya vägar, norden-nyheter, translated by R. M. Czarny.
- 50.
Translated by R. M. Czarny.
- 51.
In the original: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
- 52.
“Nordic Cool” was officially named “Festival: Northern European Music, Theater, Food And Waterfalls Come To D.C.,” more on the subject at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/kennedy-center-nordic-cool-2013_n_2732354.html.
- 53.
Regional leaders discussed global changes in their respective regions from three points of view: “1. declining confidence in economic policies and the lack of a clear sense of direction over which policies are best adopted with respect to national, regional and global policies; 2. structural unemployment, with young people being particularly strongly affected, something that has led to explosive social and political consequences; 3. climate change, for which there has not yet been an appropriate global response despite its impact and long-term consequences.” Nordic cooperation on the global agenda.” Quoted after: http://www.norden.org/sv/aktuellt/nyheter/nordic-cooperation-on-the-global-agenda.
References
Abrahamson, P. (1999). The Scandinavian model of welfare. In Comparing social welfare systems in nordic Europe and France. Paris: MIRE-DREES.
A Global Agenda for Freedom: Democracy and Human Rights in Swedish Development Cooperation Policy and Practice, Sweden: Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Stockholm 2007.
Archer, C. (2005). Norway outside the EU. Norway and European integration from 1994 to 2004. London/New York: Routledge.
Attali, J. (2008). Krótka historia przyszłości. Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka.
Bagiński, P., Czaplicka, K., in cooperation with Klepacka, J. Doświadczenia współpracy rozwojowej krajów nordyckich – wnioski dla Polski, II Raport Cząstkowy. Retrieved from www.developmentstudies.eu
Bielecka, M. (2005). Role międzynarodowe państwa. In R. Zięba (Ed.), Wstęp do teorii polityki zagranicznej państwa. Toruń: Wydaw. Adam Marszałek.
Bruce, E. (2016). Denmark: Macroeconomic indicators. Nordea Economic Outlook, 1. Retrieved from https://nexus.nordea.com/research/attachment/36920
Business and the economy. Retrieved from http://www.norden.org/en/the-nordic-region/business-and-the-economy https://nexus.nordea.com/research/attachment/36920
Commitment Development Index. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cgdev.org/initiative/commitment-development-index/index
Commitment to Development Index. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.cgdev.org/cdi-2015
Corruption Perceptions Index 2014: results. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results
Czarny, R. M. (2008). Państwa regionu nordyckiego wobec problemu bezpieczeństwa energetycznego. In E. Cziomer (Ed.), Międzynarodowe bezpieczeństwo energetyczne w XXI wieku. Kraków: Krakowskie Towarzystwo Edukacyjne – Oficyna Wydaw. AFM.
Czarny, R. M. (2012). Dyskusje polityczne wokół prawno-międzynarodowego statusu Svalbardu. In W kręgu nauki o państwie, prawie i polityce. Lublin: Innovatio Press.
Czarny, R. M., & Tomala, M. (2009). Wymiar Północny Unii Europejskiej: Studium rozwoju. Kielce: Scandinavium.
Dagens Nyheter. (2008, April 10).
Edvardsen, T. S., Hagtvet, B., & Bereza-Jarociński, A. (1994). Nordycki model demokracji i państwa dobrobytu. Warszawa: Wydaw. Naukowe PWN.
Einhorn, E. S., & Logue, J. (2004). Can the Scandinavian model adapt to globalization? Scandinavian Studies, 76(4), 501–534.
Enestam, J.-E. (2007, December 11). Tre dimensioner i nordisk samarbete. Retrieved from www.norden.org/webb/article
Enestam, J.-E, Tiden mogen för nordisk röst i EU, “Norden,” www.norden.org/webb/article
Fløtten, E. (2005). The Barents Co-operation – where do we go from here? A brief evaluation of the challenges and the road ahead, Vadsø. Retrieved from www.aksjonsprogrammet.no/vedlegg/barentssamarbeid.pdf
Foreign Policy (2008, May/June).
Global challenges – Nordic opportunities!. Retrieved from www.norden
Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) per capita GDP. Retrieved from http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2014& ey=2014&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=16&pr1.y=7&c
Halvorsen, K. (2008, February 15). Norway’s sovereign fund sets an ethical example. Financial Times.
Heikkilä, M. (2006). The northern dimension. Helsinki: Europe Informationen.
Human Development Report 2015. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/data
Husmark Pehrsson, C. (2008). Framgångsrikt samarbete i Norden—och i EU. Speech of the Swedish minister for social affairs and nordic cooperation at the nordic association and ABF stockholm seminar “Norden—i och för Europa,” Retrieved March 7, 2008, from www.regeringen.se/sb/d/10181/a/100290
Images of Sweden Abroad: A study of the changes, the present situation and assessment methods. (2005). Stockholm: Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden.
IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. Retrieved from http://www.imd.ch/research/publications/wcy/upload/scoreboard.pdf
Ingebritsen, C., Neumann, I., Gstohl, S., & Beyer, J. (2006). Small states in international relations. Reykjavik: University of Iceland Press.
Janik, B. (2006). Kapitalizm w ujęciu dynamicznym (od państwa dobrobytu do globalizacji). Kielce: Wydaw. Akademii Świętokrzyskiej.
Jensen, L. Ch. (2012). Norway on a high in the North. A discourse analysis of policy framing. A dissertation for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor, University of Tromsø, June 2012.
Kennedy Center’s ‘Nordic Cool’ 2013 Festival: Northern European Music, Theater, Food and Waterfalls Come To D.C. (2013, February 21). Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/kennedy-center-nordic-cool-2013_n_2732354.html
Ketels, C. (2008). Global pressure – Nordic solutions? The Nordic globalization barometer 2008. Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.
Knothe, T. (1991). Rada Nordycka. Warszawa: Wydaw. Sejmowe.
Kugiel, P. (2013, December 02). Współpraca rozwojowa jako instrument ‘inteligentnej siły’: wnioski dla Polski. PISM, Biuletyn, 128. Retrieved from http://www.pism.pl/files/?id_plik=15687
Lundberg, U., & Amark, K. (2005). Rozwój państwa socjalnego w Szwecji w XX wieku. In K. Kraus, T. Geisen, & K. Piątek (Eds.), Państwo socjalne w Europie. Historia – rozwój – perspektywy. Toruń: Wydaw. Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika.
Nordea Economic Outlook. (2016/1). Retrieved from https://nexus.nordea.com/research/attachment/36920
Norden samlas kring klimatfrågorna, norden-nyheter. Retrieved from www.norden.org
Norden som global vinnarregion, Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Council 2005. Retrieved from http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/globalisation-co-operation/reports-and-documents/norden-som-global-foeregaangsregion
Norden tar nya vägar, norden-16. Retrieved from www.norden.org
Norden’s high five to the neighbourhood. Assessment of the nordic council of ministers offices in the Baltic countries and Northwestern Russia. (2008). Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.
“Nordic Cool,” Northern European Music, Theater, Food and Waterfalls Come To D.C. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/kennedy-center-nordic-cool-2013_n_2732354.html
Nordic Council of Ministers office in Riga. Retrieved from www.norden.lv/en/main
Nordic Council of Ministers office in Tallinn. Retrieved from www.norden.ee
Nordic Council of Ministers office in Vilnius. Retrieved from www.norden.lt
Nordic countries in figures 2013. (2013). Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.
Nordic countries in figures 2015. (2015). Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers. http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:862743/FULLTEXT02.pdf
Nordic Statistic 2013, Facts about the Nordic countries (Fakta om de nordiska länderna, Nordiska samarbetet fortsätter att fördjupas.) Retrieved from www.norden.org
Nordisk statistisk årsbok 2013. Retrieved from http://www.norden.org/en/publications/publikationer/2013-001
Nordiskt samarbete med Estland, Lettland och Litauen. Retrieved from http://www.norden.org/sv/om-samarbetet/samarbetsomraaden/estland-lettland-och-litauen/nordiskt-samarbete-med-estland-lettland-och-litauen
Nordiska samarbetet fortsätter att fördjupas. (2008). www.norden.org
Press Release. (2007, June 20). Valtioneuvosto. Retrieved from www.vn.fi
Roodman, D., Prieto, C., & Lazarus, E. (2009). Sweden. Commitment to Development Index 2009. Center for Global Development, Washington, DC.
Stokke, O. S., & Tunander, O. (1994). The Barents region: Cooperation in arctic Europe. Oslo: PRIO.
Sorjonen, P. (2016). Norway: Macroeconomic indicators. Nordea Economic Outlook, 1. Retrieved from https://nexus.nordea.com/research/attachment/36920
Statminister Fredrik Reinfeldt står värd för det första Nordiska Globariseringsforumet, Pressmeddelande, Statsrådberedningen. Retrieved from www.regeringen.se
Størup Nielsen, J. (2016). Sweden: Macroeconomic indicators. Nordea Economic Outlook, 1. Retrieved from https://nexus.nordea.com/research/attachment/36920
Stuermer, M. (2010). Putin i odrodzenie Rosji. Wrocław: Wydaw. Dolnośląskie.
Svenska Dagbladet. (2008, January 24).
Szelągowska, G. (2010). Dania. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo TRIO.
Tal. Statsrådsberedningen 8 april 2008, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Statminister, Regeringskansliet. Retrieved April 8, 2008, from www.regeringen.se
The Nordic Region in an International Perspective: Nordic co-operation in a European framework 2007 (2008). Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.
The International Nordic Region: The international co-operation of the Nordic Council of Ministers. (2013). Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.
Tuomioja, E. (2012, November 23). Speech at the seminar “Nordic Security Cooperation = Smart Defence?” Retrieved from http://www.tuomioja.org/index.php? mainAction=showPage&id=1855&category=4
World Economic Forum. (2013). The global information technology report 2013. Retrieved from http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GITR_Report_2013.pdf
2015 Legatum Prosperity Index. Retrieved from http://www.li.com/activities/publications/2015-legatum-prosperity-index
http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/member-countries/finland/index_pl.htm http://government.fi/etusivu/en.jsp
http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/aidtopoorcountriesslipsfurtherasgovernmentstightenbudgets.htm. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
http://www.cgdev.org/initiative/commitment-development-index/index
http://www.tvp.info/19728391/opozycja-wygrywa-wybory-w-finlandii-milioner-przyszlym-premierem
http://www.li.com/activities/publications/2015-legatum-prosperity-index, http://media. prosperity.com/2015/pdf/publications/UK-Prosperity-Report-2015.pdf
http://countryeconomy.com/gdp. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
http://countryeconomy.com/countries/compare , http://countrymeters.info/en
https://worldcompetitiveness.imd.org/customsearchresults/criteriaresult,
http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2015-2016/report-highlights/
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2013-14/GCR_Rankings_2013-14.pdf
http://www.imd.org/uupload/IMD.WebSite/Wcc/NewTalentReport/Talent_2015_web.pdf. Retrieved January 04, 2016.
https://worldcompetitiveness.imd.org/countryprofile http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/21/kennedy-center-nordic-cool-2013_n_2732354.html
http://www.norden.org/sv/aktuellt/nyheter/nordic-cooperation-on-the-global-agenda. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Czarny, R.M. (2017). Norden Locally and Internationally. In: A Modern Nordic Saga : Politics, Economy and Society. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42363-0_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42363-0_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-42362-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-42363-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)