Elite consensus on the Norwegian welfare state model

Abstract

Is the Norwegian welfare state model under pressure? In this article we argue that this model will persist to the extent that there is a relatively strong consensus among the majority of the national elites to support it. The empirical results presented indicate that the majority of the Norwegian elites at the time of the study (2000) supported the basic institutions and policies in the model and the political compromises upon which they are based. They express strong support for the system of centralised wage settlements, a main element in the industrial relations system. They rally behind continued economic transfers to the rural areas. A majority (albeit small) of the elite groups prefers to uphold the present state model of production and distribution of welfare services. There are, however, differences between the various elite groups as to how they view the welfare state model. While the members of the private business elite express preference for basic changes, the mass media elite, the academic elite and the church leaders are clearly in favour of the present model. The opinions of the individual leaders are particularly related to the elite groups to which they belong. Social and educational background has much less effect upon their attitudes.

Enduring contexts: Segregation by affluence throughout the life course

“…Together, these studies thus underline the importance of property ownership in understanding how the capitalist class is reproduced over generations. 51 Property ownership is also suggested to have implications for ideological variation within the Norwegian private business elite, and Gulbrandsen (2005) has documented that owners of large private firms are politically and ideologically more conservative than are employed leaders, although the elites in Norway generally tend to express support for the Norwegian welfare state in survey research (Gulbrandsen and Engelstad 2005).…”

Public policy, resource rent and ethics: The case of the Norwegian petroleum industry

“…The years between the 1930s and the 1970s were formative for what we today consider the Nordic model, which is an economic system with a mix of socialist thinking and market economy, governed by a welfare state. Even if the Labor Party was in front molding the welfare state, it should be noted that (1) this was part of an international movement, and (2) there was support for introducing welfare benefits across the political spectrum (Gulbrandsen & Engelstad, 2005;Østerud, 2005;Gulbrandsen, 2007).…”

Ethics, resource rent, environment and petroleum policy: the case of a small open economy

“…That is, an economic system with a mix of socialist thinking and market economy, governed by a welfare state. Even if the Labor Party was in front molding the welfare state, it should be noted that (1) this was part of an international movement, and (2) there was support for introducing welfare benefits across the political spectrum (Gulbrandsen & Engelstad, 2005;Østerud, 2005;Gulbrandsen, 2007).…”