ABSTRACT
The contemporary Scandinavian welfare states are among the most generous and redistributive in the world. The universal protection that individuals enjoy in these countries if hit by joblessness or sickness is by comparative standards unparalleled. To many Scandinavians, however, their welfare states are more than simply protection against risk; they are a defining characteristic of Scandinavia itself and the people living there. The Scandinavian welfare states embody a set of values with which many wish to be associated: equality, compassion and fairness. To be opposed to the welfare state of the particular type found in Scandinavia is typically perceived as being an expression of a lack of such positive qualities: elitist, selfish and unfair.
