On a guided tour of the Nordic welfare model
For a week, students from Princeton have visited Danish ministers, grassroots organizations and researchers. At the Nordic Humanities Center, Professor Klaus Petersen took them on a guided tour of the history behind the Danish welfare model, and we had a chat with a couple of the young Americans.
Jerimiah Chamberlin, who is in the second year of his master's program in public administration, takes home one point in particular that has surprised him to such an extent: namely how the social partners in Denmark negotiate wages and working conditions themselves.
- It seems that the state is very "hands-off", he says.
- It is called The Danish Model..
- I know, and it's really great. In fact, it is something that, in my eyes, could well be transferred to the United States, where the state has a bad reputation among many. They don't mind bureaucratic interference, but here is an opportunity to bring trade unions into fruitful discussions outside of representatives of the state, says Jeremiah Chamberlin, who dreams of a career in Washington D.C. in the federal administration.
Princeton University
- Was founded in 1746 and is the fourth oldest educational institution in the USA - Member of the Ivy League, which is the designation for the 8 most prestigious American universities - Located in the city of Princeton in the state of New Jersey
As well known, the American voters will go to the polls and choose a new president on November 5. The primary election is over and the country's current president, Democrat Joe Biden, is left facing Donald Trump, who has won the place as the Republican candidate.
Denmark has previously been mentioned in an American election campaign for its welfare system, namely by the democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in 2016, but does it matter at all in an American context how a small European country has arranged itself?
Impressed by digitization
- It is mostly when the health system is discussed that it comes up, says Rachel Morrow with a smile. She is a freshman and originally from the southern state of Arkansas. And in fact, it is precisely the layout of the Danish healthcare system that has gripped her:- I think the degree of digitization is impressive. The fact that you can just show an identity card and scan it regardless of where you are to be treated in the healthcare system – it was almost shocking to all of us, and it is definitely an area we can learn from, she says.
”The fact that you can just show an identity card and scan it regardless of where you are to be treated in the healthcare system – it was almost shocking to all of us
Rachel Morrow is also inspired by the opportunities Danish workers have to further their education out of unemployment.
- With globalization there will be jobs that no longer exist, but that you as a society allocate resources to and invest in offering training so that people can find new employment, this is an initiative with opportunities for the United States, says Rachel Morrow, who after the studio would like to work to improve the living conditions of the poor in their home state of Arkansas.
Trust in government and state
The two students, who both live on the campus area belonging to Princeton University, agree that there are certainly parts of the Danish welfare state that would be difficult to introduce in their home country.
- There is apparently more trust in the government and state in the Danish population than is the case in the USA, and this makes more things possible - such as sharing information and paying higher taxes. It seems to be relatively popular here, whereas it is always a point of contention with us, says Jeremiah Chamberlin.
Cold as New Jersey
The group of students landed in Copenhagen on the same day that Crown Prince Frederik became King Frederik, so despite a tight study programme, they have experienced both fireworks from Tivoli and a city in festive clothes.
- People have been incredibly open and ready to share knowledge with us, says Jerimiah Chamberlin politely and Rachel Marrow adds that although it may have been a little cold, the temperature in New Jersey, where Princeton is located, has probably not been any better.