Neo-liberalism and universal state education: the cases of Denmark, Norway and Sweden 1980–2011

Abstract

This article investigates neo-liberal policy on education in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Traditionally, the edifice of the education system in these Scandinavian countries has been built on egalitarian values, but over the last 20 years they have increasingly adopted market-led reforms of education. The extent of neo-liberal policy varies between the countries. Denmark and Norway have remained more hostile toward such policies, thus protecting the education system from extensive deregulation and privatisation. Conversely, in Sweden a greater credence has been given to market forces, allowing private providers to play a much more significant role in delivering education services. This variation in neo-liberal policy on education in Scandinavia is usually ascribed to the increasing power of the Right. However, this article differs from most other education research in that it argues, on the contrary, that the answer is to be found mainly within the social democratic parties themselves.

Notes on contributor

Dr Susanne Wiborg is Reader in Education at the University of London, Institute of Education. She is the Head of the Department of Lifelong and Comparative Education, and programme leader of the MA in Comparative Education. Her research is on comparative history of education and Scandinavian policy of education covering areas such as education systems in Europe, comprehensive schooling, private education and Swedish free schools. Her latest book is Education and Social Integration: Comprehensive Schooling in Europe, published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2009. She is also the editor of the Danish Year Book of History of Education.