7 - A Regional Culture Confronts a Globalized World

Summary

This is a concluding chapter, and considers the general themes raised by the previously mentioned materials. These include the limits of globalization, the importance of small countries, and the often thin line between reality and fantasy in domestic and international image-making. While the Nordics have many faults, they have succeeded in creating an alternate image of democracy that emphasizes a balance between the individual, society, and the physical environment. For these reasons – and not withstanding criticisms – the Nordic Model remains important in the twenty-first century.