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.

Introduction : the Nordic model and physical culture / Mikkel B. Tin, Frode Telseth, Jan Ove Tangen -- Creating new sport policy : the case of Finnish schools on the move / Kati Lehtonen and Kaarlo Laine -- Nature in the history of physical education and in the lives of Norwegians today / Pål Augestad -- Let's move : embodiment, leadership, and dance in education / Helle Winther -- Exploring democratic relations in higher dance education : a case study / Gunn Engelsrud and Camilla Myhre -- Changing constructions of childhood challenging the Swedish sport model : 'football was for fun, I exercise for my health' / Susanna Hedenborg -- The roots of Icelandic physical culture and sport in the Saga age / Thorolfur Thorlindsson and Vidar Halldorsson -- The Finnish sport system in transition : from a mixed model back to the Nordic sport movement? / Kati Lehtonen and Jarmo Mäkinen -- Discourses on the legitimate understanding of Norwegian and Nordic elite sport : theoretical reflections on an empirical case / Nils Asle Bergsgard and Frode Telseth -- The Johaug doping case : public reactions and sociological explanations / Jan Ove Tangen and Bieke Gils -- Scandinavian friluftsliv (outdoor life) and the Nordic model : passions and paradoxes / Kirsti Pedersen Gurholt and Per Ingvar Haukeland -- Nature is the new culture : the active body as a citizen typology on the rise / Even Smith Wergeland -- Water competence and new Norwegians : outdoor teaching as an inclusive-exclusive learning space / Egil Galaaen Gjølme, Jon Sundan, Tone Pernille Østern, and Sunniva Hovde -- Public parks in the North : designed to liberate or discipline our moving bodies? / Mikkel B. Tin -- Afterword : the Nordic model and physical cultures in the global context / Richard Giulianotti.