The European Union's Africa Policy: The Result of Nordicization or Europeanization?

Olsen, Gorm Rye

doi:10.1080/07036337.2012.703662

Cited by 14 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…There are number of detailed descriptions and analyses of the traditional Nordic model, but also of changes in policy and practises. Some of the latter concern aid policy specifically (Selbervik with Nygaard, 2006;Development Today, 2010;Odén, 2011), others discuss Nordic Africa policies and development policy more generally (Olsen, 2011(Olsen, , 2013 and still others only Swedish aid policy change (Odén & Wohlgemuth, 2006). None of these studies have, however, been primarily guided by a Europeanisation perspective.…”

Section: Conceptual Issues and Methodological Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nordic experts on development policy agree on the existence in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s of a 'Nordic aid model ' (Development Today, 2010;Odén, 2011) and of 'Nordic exceptionalism' (Selbervik with Nygaard, 2006;Olsen, 2013). Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden stood out as generous donors, driven by solidarity, altruism, moral and humanitarian concerns, rather than material interests.…”

Section: The Traditional Nordic Aid Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…First and foremost, the Nordics are today not the only countries within the EU with such progressive policies, and not necessarily the most important ones. References are often made to the 'likeminded countries' or to the 'Nordic Plus' donors (including also the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Ireland), both at headquarter level and in the field (Selbervik with Nygaard, 2006;Olsen, 2013;Interviews 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8). In some areas, the UK, for example, may be more progressive than the Nordic group.…”

Section: Changes In Nordic Development Policiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Nordic uniqueness in development policy should be seen in the light of a broader discourse on the Nordics as value-driven 'norm entrepreneurs' (Lawler, 1997(Lawler, , 2007Ingebritsen, 2002;Olsen, 2013), 'humane internationalists' (Pratt, 1989;Stokke, 1989), trying to spread the norms they cherish to other actors, by persuasion and by acting as role models. Foreign assistance is usually considered a key instrument in these efforts, but references are also made to, for example, environmental policy and conflict resolution.…”

Section: The Traditional Nordic Aid Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, this idyllic picture has been challenged. It has been claimed that the Nordic model has faded and that Nordic donors have become more similar to other European donors, but also that their development policies have taken off in different directions, at least to a certain extent and in some respects (Odén, 2011;Olsen, 2013). One possible reason for such trends is pressure or indirect influence from the European Union (EU).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An end to Nordic exceptionalism? Europeanisation and Nordic development policies

Elgström

Delputte

2015

European Politics and Society

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The Nordic countries have traditionally been praised for their generous and advanced development policies. Recently, however, it has been claimed that the Nordic model has faded: that the Nordic donors have become more similar to other European donors. One possible reason for such trends is influences from EU policies, that is, Europeanisation. This article critically evaluates such claims by presenting arguments for and against Europeanisation effects. We argue that changes have indeed taken place. The Nordic exceptionalism has been eroded. At the same time, a convergence of European aid policies has occurred. The question is if this is the consequence of Europeanisation -or is it rather a result of Nordicisation (the Nordic countries influencing the EU), or perhaps like-mindisation (a broader set of progressive member states having impact upon EU policies)? We suggest that Europeanisation has been extremely weak while there is strong evidence of Nordicisation but also, and increasingly, of like-mindisation. Today, a core group of mainly northern member states, including the Nordics, are the main driving forces behind European aid convergence.

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Section: Conceptual Issues and Methodological Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Traditional Nordic Aid Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Changes In Nordic Development Policiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Traditional Nordic Aid Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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