The research project “Power of Parties (PoPs): The Origins of a Nordic Welfare State” studies how political parties helped shape the Nordic welfare state model. The project provides new historical insights: It looks at the differences between socialist (left-wing) parties and non-socialist (right-wing) parties, how parties gradually became well established organizations (institutionalized), and how they placed their own people in local government to influence policy development and implementation.
An innovative research method makes this study possible. In many Norwegian local elections in the past, it happened that two parties won an equal number of seats. In such tie situations, the mayor was chosen by drawing lots – essentially by flipping a coin. This random outcome works like a “natural experiment,” letting researchers study cause and effect. The team is gathering new historical data from archives, such as local tax records and appointments to local offices. By comparing municipalities where different parties came to power purely by chance, they can find out how the party in power affected the development of taxes, welfare measures and other key decisions.
Relevance today: By understanding how party politics shaped the welfare state in the past, we gain perspectives that illuminate current debates about the welfare state. The findings can tell us whether and how different political directions led to different welfare policies. This knowledge makes us better equipped to discuss how todayʼs and future political choices might influence the further development of our welfare state.