The Nordic Countries and the European Union

Revecca Pedi, University of Macedonia 'Authors in this anthology explore the relationship between the five Nordic countries and the European Union. They seek to identify the factors that have determined the behaviour and the performance of these states in European policy-making and to see to what extent the Nordic countries form a distinct community in their relationship with the EU. The main argument of the book is that the Nordic countries have followed a yes, but approach towards European integration. Moreover, it suggests that they form a cluster rather than a unique and united community, while path dependency is prevalent among the factors that influence their choices. Of course, this is not the first time that Nordic states are presented under this spectrum: on the one hand, being pragmatic and harnessing opportunities, yet on the other, remaining reluctant, preserving national policies, interests and values. However, this volume is innovative and noteworthy in many aspects. First, it is up to date. Second, it is comprehensive. The authors provide extensive coverage of the relationship between the Nordic countries and the EU, initially shedding light on its historical evolution and then exploring it within the EU institutions context. Finally, they examine it across different policy areas. The book offers a comparative analysis which is anchored to institutionalism in terms of theory and also based on a continuum from changeable to unchangeable factors that impact on the Nordic countries choices. The authors employ a historical approach, theoretical analysis and current empirical reasoning in tandem and thus provide those who are familiar with the Nordic and/or Small State and/or EU integration literature with a thought-provoking overview and others, less acquainted with this background, with a very informative book. From its very beginning, the European integration project has posed a series of challenges and opportunities to all Small States. Following the Lisbon Treaty and the global economic crisis, challenges have been intensified. Different Small States have responded in different ways. Small State scholars have sought to find differences and similarities among them. Against this background, in recent years, studies on Small States and EU integration are increasing and constitute probably the larger part of Small State studies. This work contributes to this literature in a unique and much-needed way. Small State studies usually lack such a concurrence of comparative perspective, comprehensive analysis and coherence. Therefore, this volume is one of the very few attempts within the Small State studies field that aims at a systematic exploration of Small State behaviour. It constitutes, hence, a good starting point for reflecting upon a necessary reform in Small State studies.' The Author(s) 2016

Caroline Howard Grn is Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen. Peter Nedergaard is Professor at the University of Copenhagen. Anders Wivel is Professor at the University of Copenhagen.

Contents List of illustrations List of contributors Preface Anders Wivel, Caroline Howard Grn and Peter Nedergaard 1. Still the Other European Community? The Nordic Countries and the European Union Anders Wivel, Caroline Howard Grn and Peter Nedergaard 2. Bridging Interdependency? Nordic Yes, But Integration from a Historical Perspective Lee Miles 3. The Outsiders: Norway and Iceland Baldur Thorhallson 4. Nordic Cooperation in the EU Council: Does the Institutional Embeddedness Matter? Ilze Rse 5. The Nordic Countries and the European Commission Caroline Howard Grn 6. The Nordic Countries and the European Parliament Mads Dagnis Jensen 7. The Nordic Parliaments and the EU Ian Cooper 8. The Common Agricultural Policy: Comparing Danish and Swedish Governmental Positions Peter Nedergaard and Mads Dagnis Jensen 9. Market integration in Europe and the Nordic Countries: The ambivalent path dependency Peter Nedergaard and Mads Dagnis Jensen 10. The European Union and the Nordic models of welfare: path dependency or policy harmonisation? Mikko Kuisma and Mikael Nygrd 11. EMU: Joining or not does it matter? Sixten Korkman 12. Through the EUs front- and backdoors: The selective Danish and Norwegian approaches in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice Rebecca Adler-Nissen 13. In the Shadow of History? Explaining the (Lack of) Europeanisation of Nordic Security and Defence Policies Anders Wivel and Martin Marcussen 14. The Nordic Labour Market(s) and the European Union Carsten Strby Jensen 15. Mr. Svensson Goes to Brussels: Concluding on the Nordic Countries and the European Union Anders Wivel, Caroline Howard Grn and Peter Nedergaard Bibliography