Date on Senior Honors Thesis

5-2020

Document Type

Senior Honors Thesis

Degree Name

B.A.

Department

Political Science

Degree Program

College of Arts and Sciences

Author's Keywords

welfare; universalism; norway; social policy; public policy; redistribution

Abstract

The social democratic model of welfare is manifested in Norway. The highly egalitarian and redistributive Nordic model is seen as one of the best, most successful welfare systems in the modern world. With radically high levels of happiness, social cohesion, trust, labor participation, and life satisfaction, it is easy to see why Norway draws so much attention. What is it about their welfare system that makes it so successful?

There are many unique circumstances and cultural factors that surely contribute to this success, which I discuss thoroughly in this paper. However, I argue that what allows for such favorable outcomes is more related to the institutional design of their welfare state. In this thesis, I will describe how the universalism of the Norwegian welfare state plays a significant role in its successful functioning. This is done not only through the examination of literature but also through research. I replicate the study by Oliver Jacques and Alain Noel on the Paradox of Redistribution in order to ascertain the role of universalism in the 21st century. Through my findings and a comprehensive review of history, literature, and exogenous factors, I am able to support the conclusion of Jacques and Noel that the Paradox still exists in the modern welfare state and how it relates to universalism.

Lay Summary

The social democratic model of welfare is manifested in Norway. The highly egalitarian and redistributive Nordic model is seen as one of the best, most successful welfare systems in the modern world. With radically high levels of happiness, social cohesion, trust, labor participation, and life satisfaction, it is easy to see why Norway draws so much attention. What is it about their welfare system that makes it so successful?

There are many unique circumstances and cultural factors that surely contribute to this success, which I discuss thoroughly in this paper. However, I argue that what allows for such favorable outcomes is more related to the institutional design of their welfare state. In this thesis I will describe how the universalism of the Norwegian welfare state plays a significant role in its successful functioning. This is done not only through the examination of literature, but also through research. I replicate the study by Oliver Jacques and Alain Noel on the Paradox of Redistribution in order to ascertain the role of universalism in the 21st century. Through my findings and a comprehensive review of history, literature, and exogenous factors, I am able to support the conclusion of Jacques and Noel that the Paradox still exists in the modern welfare state and how it relates to universalism.

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