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Denmark: The Rise of Fascism and the Decline of the Nordic Model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 October 2018

Jasna Balorda
Jasna Balorda*
Affiliation:
Liverpool Hope University, School of Social Sciences E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Contrary to its conventional image as a social-democratic paragon, the Danish welfare state has, in recent decades, been undergoing significant changes as a response to the intrusion into the social sphere by self-regulating markets and a final departure from Keynesian politics of universalism and solidarity. This article examines the evident decline of the Nordic model as a result of neoliberal globalisation and establishes an association between the erosion of the welfare state and the emergence of fascist political sentiment in Denmark. An analysis of the Danish People's party and its growing public support among the disenfranchised working class communities in Denmark demonstrates how those overlooked by the free market and unrepresented by the liberal left become increasingly more receptive to the proposed social agendas of the far right campaigns.

Keywords

DenmarkfascismDPPneoliberalismwelfare state
Type
Themed Section: European Social Policy and Society after Brexit: Neoliberalism, Populism, and Social Quality
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , January 2019 , pp. 133 - 145
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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