I do not know and understand how it is in India, but in my country Lithuania, as in other Baltic countries, there were talks about Scandinavian model implementation, which imposes economic and social efficiency at the same time. But our mentality and historical circumstances make very difficult to implement certain Scandinavian system elements - also not talking about implementation of the whole model. We need to study Scandinavian theory and practice and to use the best sides, but it is a very long way with many obstacles to overcome. At present there are more talks about Scandinavism in the Baltic states than really is done. The latter said does not refer to economic relations which are good and expanding. And Scandinavian investments too. Also cultural influence. Help for defense and in foreign relations. But if to talk about Scandinavian model as distinct social policy model, so Baltic states as model are more close to the USA or Latin America than to Scandinavia.

For example, Estonians are boasting that they are very Nordic and very Scandinavian, but their social model is very far from that. And there are no political forces or social movements in Baltic states who can be really eager to implement Scandinavian social model. Even our socialdemocracy is pro-liberal and the values in the society very often are libertaristic with elements of soviet heritage. Another reason comes from Scandinavians themselves - when they during last 25 years have substantially retreated from the former Nordic (Swedish) social model which in literature was called universal-redistributive-comprehensive-socialdemocratic model. This retreat from the previous positions makes even more difficult to talk about that what is left from the former Scandinavian social model. Of course, there is still much left, but, as I understand, the cooperation between Scandinavian and Baltic countries will first follow in economics, in investment, in culture, in science, in foreign policy and, certainly, in defense, as aggressive Russia has its plans towards the Baltic region.

Dear Harshita Singh,

Considering our topic, please, take a glance at my and H. Koht  publication on Norwegian and Lithuanian social policy in ResearchGate base:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249751037_Why_not_the_Nordic_Welfare_State_Model_in_Lithuania_Trends_in_Lithuanian_and_Norwegian_Social_Policies?ev=prf_pub

Also You can look to my and D. Bernotas publication on Lithuanian and Swedish social models in Eastern European sciences data base C.E.E.O.L. 

Yours truly,

Arvydas Guogis,

Vilnius, Lithuania

Chapter Why not the Nordic Welfare State Model in Lithuania? Trends ...

The example offered by Arvydas is excellent for making the following point: context matters. Systems and solutions to problems that work well in a small, very homogeneous European country are unlikely to be transferable to the most populous country in the world, that is very heterogeneous along several dimensions and has very different needs and traditions. In fact, Arvydas is telling us that the Swedish way is not readily transferable even to a neighboring, equally small and homogeneous country! Instead, each country has to come up with solutions to its needs that fit its specific context.

The Scandinavian model is a good one but it was developed over a long period of time in a country that is culturally very homogeneous, unlike India.  So the political obstacles for adopting the Scandinavian model (which varies among Scandinavian countries) would seem to be formidable in India.

Dear Harshita,

Although it is difficult to import Scandinavian model as such, it is possible to study certain elements of good practice from Scandinavians, for example, in handling social work services. Both - from organizational and implementation sides. It is also possible, but very difficult, to influence politicians for implementation more redistributive practices in order to finance public sector. Social responsibility at work places is another good example possible to implement in Your own country. If it is possible, the creation of the trade union in Your organization is one of the options. If You get more trade unions founded, the collective agreement is possible. Also the big attention to all social security forms has to be taken seriously. There is ample literature on welfare states in the Nordic countries - You have to become specialist in that. But this literature is of very special style and sometimes difficult to grasp the concrete meanings of different measures. That's why You have to use very different sources from all the angles of social and humanitarian sciences. It is not enough and does not give sense, for instance to read only on Swedish Socialdemocratic ideology or Functional socialism  measures or economic democracy of Meidner wage-earner fonds. You have to know when it was used, how it finished with implementation, why and where were retreats from welfare state, how it was reorganized and accommodated to the new circumstances or simply left aside.

Good luck,

Arvydas

rightly said Arvydas. perhaps scandinavian model as a whole should not be implemented but some elements can be copied.

Dear @Harshita, the Scandinavian model for social security is efficient and  worths emulating in India; however, it is very costly and this has to be taken into consideration.

Dear Harshita, as You have noticed your questioinn is not easy to answer. Arvydas referred to idea of Swedish model of nordic welfare state: "universal-redistributive-comprehensive-socialdemocratic model". I think it´s the correct way to start thinking the value and opportunities of emulation anywhere else than in Nordic countries. It´s the question of the individual person - state (as political-economical system) -relationship that matters in this model. As Gösta Esping-Anderson wrote in his important book on welfare state models, the meaning of Nordic welfare state (Swedish/ Finnish model) is to minimize the dependence of indiviadual persons on markets. Your position (or your parents position) in markets must not define your ablities to have a good life (what ever it means). This model is against commodification of people. In practice it happend that this model keeps people together and their abilities to participate in social, cultural and economic life in society is relatively strong. Even there are problems. Nordic welfare state in not only social security but also opportunities to study in all levels of ecucation system. In cultures where learning and education has high rank in society´s values, this is important. Is it expensive? Well, it depends what you value and if you think welfare state from individual prosperity point-of-view or do you think it´s question about social system.  I don´t believe it´s possible to copy any system from other historical-cultural backgrounds. But it´s a political choice, on which principles people build there welfare system (if any!). I think it´s possible to apply principles from other systemsa, but you have to find local ways to put in practice.

Nordic model can never work in India in the present context even if India was a rich country; for, the incidence of corruption here  is very high.  Rajiv Gandhi, one former Prime Minister, said rightly: only 15 per cent of the intended social assistance reaches the target audience. The rest is pocketed by the middlemen, corrupt politicians and  bureaucrat,  and the expenses involved in administering it.

Dear Debi!

I´m sure you are right in the point of you and I don´t know the realities in India. In Nordic welfare model (Swedish or social democratic model / esping-Andersen) it´s not question only social assistace if we think it as money given to people for their necessities. In Sweden and Finland Nordic model means also public social services. I think this has been one of the most important features of this model. For example maternity and early childhood clinics, comprehencive school to all children from 7 to 16 years old, puplic day care as a right to all children under 4 years old (this in a flux at the moment), public services for elderly people (this is in a flux at the moment; privatisation is going on), public services for alcohol problem drinkers etc. Finland was very poor country at the moment they started building the welfare state. It was important to take care of all people to succeed as a state (nation). But Finland has also its history which made this possible.