Parliamentary democracy in Scandinavia

The article, which seeks to evaluate the state of democracy in the Nordic states, comprises four main parts. The first considers claims that the five states of the region comprise a distinctive block of consensual democracies. The second highlights those features of Nordic politics and government that distinguish them from a Westminster-style majoritarian system and asks whether it is legitimate to speak of a Scandinavian Democratic Model. The third section poses some central questions in an audit of parliamentary democracy in the Nordic region, with a particular focus on legislative-executive relations. Finally, there is a brief analysis of the workings of a number of central dimensions of democracy in Scandinavia today. Among the conclusions it is argued that, despite the reputation for open, transparent government in Scandinavia, the national parliaments are relatively closed (especially the work of the standing committees) and inaccessible to members of the public.