Equality in Scandinavia: Developments and Challenges of the Welfare State

About this course

Denmark and other Scandinavian countries have high taxation and universal welfare, and a perceived high level of equality. In this course, we scrutinize the reality of equality in Scandinavia. Are all people supported equally by the state? Can current levels of support be sustained in the face of economic pressures? The class examines both sociological and economic theories to understand the principles and challenges that underpin the welfare state.

Faculty

Michael Perlt

Holds B.A. and M.A. in Theology from the University of Copenhagen and Pre-doctoral fellowship in cultural sociology from Yale University. His research focuses on religion & secularism, religious violence, and collective memory. His current research concerns death, cultural trauma and religious meaning making in the context of an armed conflict.