The Nordic countries stand out as a region defined by the common history of its five constituents. While Finland was an integral part of Sweden for several hundred years, Norway and Iceland (together with some other north Atlantic islands) were crucial components of the early modern Danish composite state. The five countries were affected differently by twentieth-century warfare, but there still remains a tangible Nordic culture and Nordic cooperation is facilitated by the linguistic proximity of the three Scandinavian languages, even if English is increasingly used in inter-Nordic exchanges. Other defining characteristics of the Nordic countries are high degrees of secularisation, strong civil societies, gender equality and a political culture of consensus rather than confrontation. Finally, and perhaps most recognised amongst outsiders, the Nordic countries display strong and well-developed welfare states. One of the leading scholars in welfare state research, the Danish sociologist Gøsta Esping-Andersen, has identified the social democratic welfare state found in Scandinavia as one of three ideal type welfare regimes.

At the heart of the welfare state discussion is the relationship between the state and its citizens. What sort of responsibility does the state have for the well-being of its citizens, and when should the state refrain from ‘interfering’ in the private sphere? Who are the citizens upon whom the state bestows welfare and rights: everybody, or just the grown-ups, or just adult men as heads of families?