Basic income in the Swedish legislative debate: The forbidden topic

When it comes to welfare in general, Sweden’s legislation is certainly one of the most comprehensive in the world. Living up to the ideal of supporting its citizens and residents from the cradle to the grave, this Scandinavian country has expanded its laws exponentially in the last century to cover all aspects of individuals’ and families’ lives. Thus, it comes, then, as a particular surprise to discover that the notion of basic income has been - and still is - almost completely absent from the Swedish political debate (and has consequently remained off the agenda of the Swedish legislative bodies), while being one of the hottest topics around the European continent. The purpose of this article is to investigate the possible reasons why the idea of basic income is missing from Swedish legislative agenda and to draw some brief general conclusions that may be valid for all legislative actors operating in advanced capitalistic societies.

Some Aspects of Language Planning in the Scandinavian Countries.

The present study deals with language planning and language policy in the Scandinavian countries and aims to sketch their peculiarities. The investigation is both diachronic und synchronic, using the historical-comparative method and making use of the research results of linguistic disciplines as language history, sociolinguistics, etc. Language planning and language policy in the Scandinavian countries are very powerful. In spite of the strong resemblances between the Scandinavian languages and the strong pan-Scandinavian tendencies, the language planning and the linguistic policy of each individual Scandinavian country show differing tendencies. Most consequently, language planning is carried out in Iceland. In Icelandic, purism has gone the furthest. Danish is the most conservative language, but it is also most tolerant towards the foreign words.

Humor som bro eller hinder: Islam i två norska filmkomedier

Since the turn of the millennium, characters identified as Muslims have become more common in Nordic film productions. While these characters are predominantly found in dramas or crime stories, they also appear in a number of comedies. This chapter explores how Islamic religious beliefs, practices and characters are presented in two Norwegian comedies. Specific focus is on how two different comedic genres – the romantic comedy and the teen comedy – shape how Islam is represented, as well as how Muslim characters and experiences of being a Muslim in a Scandinavian country today shape and challenge traditional narratives, structures and perspectives in comedy. Special attention is given to aspects of gender, ethnic humour and affect. The author argues that the films uphold certain stereotypes but also contest ideas relating to the «other» and contemporary Scandinavian identities.

American Lessons in Mass Production and Mass Consumption: Danish Study Visits to the United States under the Marshall Plan's Technical Assistance Programme

This article discusses the main lessons of the Marshall Plan's Technical Assistance Programme. The point of departure is the Danish case, but the perspective is wider, and the article aims at broadening the somewhat narrow chronology and geography often applied in studies on the history of the Marshall Plan. When following the Technical Assistance up until the mid-1950s in a Scandinavian country it becomes clear that American diplomats didn't just want the Europeans to work harder, but that their drive for productivity also promoted Americanisation in the form of an US-style business and consumer culture. The ‘American Way’ presented through the Technical Assistance Programme, though not uncontested, was a powerful and appealing model for prosperity applicable to all areas of the economy, from agriculture to retail.

What is happening to laboratory medicine in Denmark?

A number of current trends will affect and probably change laboratory medicine, as we know it. Scientific and technological developments, digital health with big data and artificial intelligence, and centralization will change the interfaces among the specialties of laboratory medicine. They might even challenge the identity of some specialties. Other trends such as demographic changes, increased complexity of health care, digital health with electronic health records, and more demanding and well-informed patients will change the way laboratory medicine specialties deliver their services. This paper discusses the possible changes of laboratory medicine in Denmark – a Scandinavian country where almost all hospitals are public. If Danish laboratories grasp the new possibilities instead of trying to avoid them, laboratory medicine is likely to prosper. Such a positive development will call upon good leadership and a genuine willingness among laboratory specialist to adapt to a future where their own specialty might be very different from today.

Gdy spotykają się różne kultury. Oblicza dzieciństwa na emigracji na przykładzie Norwegii

The aim of this text is an attempt to show different perspectives of the aspect of childhood spent as an emigrant, in this case in Norway. The stereotype describing this Scandinavian country as not very different culturally from Poland is a subject worth going into more deeply. Childhood spent outside the home country may have different faces. This article shows both the aspect of cultural differences and expectations connected with emigration and also brings the reader to a place in which he or she may objectively find out whether the common opinion on the ease of children’s integration into the culture of another country is misleading or not.

Designers’ wooden furniture ecodesign implementation in Scandinavian country-of-origin (COO) branding

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify links between the components involved in ecodesign orientations (EDOs) and the integration of ecological criteria into Scandinavian wooden furniture industries. The purpose of identifying these links is to recognize possibilities and gaps in wooden furniture product development and branding opportunities to deepen customer engagement with the Scandinavian country-of-origin (COO) brand. Design/methodology/approach – The application of ecodesign in Scandinavian wooden furniture industries was studied using survey data gathered from Nordic wood furniture designers. Factor analysis was used to identify the general types of Scandinavian design styles (SDSs) and EDOs implemented in the Scandinavian wooden furniture industry. The SDS and EDO impacts on the integration of ecological design criteria were modelled using logistic regression analysis. Findings – The integration of ecological criteria by Nordic designers influences both the perspectives on material and process optimization and the end use of wooden furniture as well as the recycling of these products. In contrast, our results showed no statistical evidence of connections between different SDS types and the integration of ecological criteria in design. Recognition of special needs of customers valuing both high Scandinavian design and EDO could provide strategic opportunities for wooden furniture industries to recognize new global market potential and enhance their competitiveness. Practical implications – Developing business opportunities for wooden furniture marketed under the Scandinavian COO brand, and forming a better understanding of customer expectations on the ecological information related to different wooden furniture SDS types, is needed. This would support developing new ecodesign strategies across the whole industry and enhancing value proposition of Scandinavian wooden furniture within different customer groups. Originality/value – Research findings on the intersection of industrial brand design and ecodesign are still scarce, especially with a special focus on strategic management and sustainability marketing of companies. The results of our study provide entirely new insights on the topic especially in the context of Scandinavian wooden furniture industry.