6. The Nordic Model and Social Inequalities

In my article I discuss the changing nature of social inequality in the Nordic countries. All Nordic societies are richer than ever. However the distribution of wealth is becoming more and more uneven. In spite of a lot of talk and many policy programmes against poverty, poverty seems to increase. Everywhere in Europe the inheritance of inequalities is increasing too. In the following I shall argue that there are several economic, political and social processes that cause these changes. Neo-liberal economic policy has meant that market-based activities and market competition are replacing public services in many countries. The position of vulnerable social groups is at stake. Social polarization is shaping the continent. In European societies there are parallel processes of a growing middle class and growing social exclusion.