The Swedish Model - the Making of the Welfare State in a Comparative and Historical Perspective

This course discusses what has been known as "the Swedish Model" - a model that generated a prosperous welfare state for several decades. It explores the historical context and political circumstances that produced this model and takes a critical stance based on an analysis of gender, class and ethnicity. This comparative perspective is an important aspect of the course.

The course will also focus on the organisation of the labour market and its counterparts, and how the welfare system was organised. The course will also discuss the discursive and concrete changes of the model over time, including a discussion of the welfare state retrenchment.


Courses name
The Swedish Model: The Making of a Welfare State in a Comparative and Historical Perspective

Course code
EH1240

Application code on universityadmissions.se
SU-30432

Department
Department of Economic History

Main field
Economic History

Specialization
G2F - First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry
requirements

Selection
The selection is based on an overall assessment of your previous qualifications such as previous education,  relevant work experience and statement of intent.

Course content
This course discusses what has been known as "the Swedish Model" - a model that generated prosperous welfare state for several decades. Generally this system has been defined by certain characteristics regarding the organization of the labor market and its counter parties, and how the welfare system is organized. Negotiations on a labor market are carried out by labor unions and employers without state intervention with societal concerns and an avoidance of conflicts. It is also known for distribution of income and a solid progressive tax-based transference system with social security such as public health care, child support, social support, old age pension et cetera - for all citizens regardless of income. The course explores the historical context and political circumstances that produced this model. How was this possible? It also takes a critical stance by examining the development of a welfare state from a gender, class and ethnicity perspective and places this welfare state in a comparative perspective. The course will also discuss the discursive and concrete changes of the model over time, which includes a discussion of what has been described as the welfare state retrenchment.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students will be able to:

• identify and account for the characteristics of the Swedish model in a international and nordic perspective
• describe the emergence of and the transformation of the Swedish model in a historical perspective
• describe and problematize the gender- and ethnicitydimensions of the Swedish model

Education
Lectures

Forms of examination
Written examninations, a small written assignment during the course and a final paper.

The following grades will be used: A, B, C, D, E, Fx, F.

Contact
For more information about The Swedish Model please contact:

Programme Director Ms. Johanna Andersson Raeder
Phone: +46 8 16 31 20

Ms. Johanna Andersson Raeder