The Nordic Model in Education: Education as part of the political system in the last 50 years

This article describes, analyses and discusses the development of the Nordic school model in three phases of the post‐war period, viewed in the light of the development of the political system throughout the period and in comparison with the development of the school system in the western world in this period. The “classical period” from 1945 until about 1970 is often referred to as the golden era of social democracy, during which a number of special characteristics were attributed to the model. First, the reforms were introduced on the basis of national policies drawn up by a strong and innovative state in association with business organisations and industry. The main objective was to involve the school in the realisation of social goals such as equal opportunity and community fellowship. School development is very largely determined by state‐managed conditions—“input management”. The Nordic model was regarded as an ideal for school development in western countries. The Nordic countries generally followe...