The Nordic Model and Physical Culture

This book examines the relationships between the Nordic social democratic welfare system ('The Nordic Model') and physical culture, across the domains of sport, education, and public space. Presenting important new empirical research, it helps us to understand how the paradoxical blend of social democracy and liberalism in the Nordic countries influences physical culture, which in turn contributes to a quality of life that ranks highest in the world. Drawing on perspectives from sociology, cultural studies, history, education, political science, outdoor studies, and urban studies, the book explores topics such as dance education for sport students, doping in cross-country skiing, outdoor education, the active body, and the ideology of public parks. It includes research material from across the region, including Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, and Denmark. This is fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in physical culture, sport studies, leisure studies, or outdoor studies, as well as sociologists or political scientists with an interest in Nordic politics, culture, and society.

Mikkel B. Tin is Professor of Philosophy of Culture in the Department of Culture, Religion and Social Studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Frode Telseth is Lecturer in the Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Jan Ove Tangen is Professor of Sport Sociology in the Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Richard Giulianotti is Professor of Sociology in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University, UK. He is also Professor II in the Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway.

Introduction: the Nordic model and physical culture, Part I: Education, 1. Creating new sport policy: the case of Finnish schools on the move, 2. Nature in the history of physical education and in the lives of Norwegians today, 3. Let's move: embodiment, leadership, and dance in education, 4. Exploring democratic relations in higher dance education: a case study, Part II: Sports, 5. Changing constructions of childhood challenging the Swedish sport model: 'football was for fun - I exercise for my health', 6. The roots of Icelandic physical culture and sport in the Saga Age, 7. The Finnish sport system in transition: from a mixed model back to the Nordic sports movement?, 8. Discourses on the legitimate understanding of Norwegian and Nordic elite sport: theoretical reflections on an empirical case, 9. The Johaug doping case: public reactions and sociological explanations, Part III: Public space, 10. Scandinavian friluftsliv (outdoor life) and the Nordic model: passions and paradoxes, 11. Nature is the new culture: the active body as a citizen typology on the rise, 12. Water competence and new Norwegians: outdoor teaching as an inclusive-exclusive learning space, 13. Public parks in the North: designed to liberate or discipline our moving bodies?, Afterword: the Nordic model and physical cultures in the global context