The Nordic Edge

Policy Possibilities for Australia

Andrew Scott, Rod Campbell

• Publisher: Melbourne University Press Digital
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9780522877632
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Public Policy
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Climate and energy. Work/life balance. Mining taxes. Progress on policy issues like these is essential, and yet they have become subject to the most rancorous partisanship, the precipitation of culture wars, and have brought down governments. It is impossible to make any progress without major political upheaval. Or so it seems in Australia. Yet Nordic countries have taken a ' ja, we can' approach to these and other issues such as independent foreign policy, prison reform, gender equality, retraining for workforce participation and media diversity. Their experience shows that progress in these areas is not only possible, but can be achieved while increasing prosperity and community wellbeing. The Nordic Edge explores policies adopted by Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland and the exciting possibilities they provide to overcome Australia's seemingly intractable problems. Leading Australian and Nordic thinkers and policy practitioners, including Sweden's recent Foreign Minister, outline proven approaches to help Australia become a fairer, happier, wealthier and more environmentally responsible country. Re-enter Australia's policy debates with optimism, new ideas and a Nordic edge.Contributors: Professor Andrew Scott; Rod Campbell; Dr Richard Denniss; Matt Grudnoff; Tom Swann; former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström; Dr Lenita Freidenvall; Professor Marian Sawer; James Fleming; Richie Merzian; Dan Cass; Audrey Quicke; Ebony Bennett; Dr Maria Rae; and Associate Professor Anna Eriksson, with a foreword by Ben Oquist.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Dedication
• Foreword
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Contributors
• Editors’ note
• 1 Ja, we can: Why Nordic policies are possible for Australia
• 2 Life and taxes: International comparison of tax rates, economic performance and social well-being
• 3 Norwegians would: Sovereign wealth, responsible investment and climate leadership
• 4 Sweden’s feminist foreign policy
• 5 Gender budgeting: Australian innovation and Swedish delivery
• 6 Boosting workforce participation and wages
• 7 Our common climate future: ‘Scandiplomacy’ and Danish power
• 8 Electric dreams: Norway’s vehicle policy
• 9 Towards a more diverse media and stronger public broadcasting
• 10 Rethinking Australia’s approach to prisoner rehabilitation
• Index