Towards a mixed economy of long-term care in Norway?

Abstract

Norway has an international reputation as a representative of Scandinavian social democratic welfare regimes which strengthen their citizens’ independence of the market and family. This picture can be challenged on the basis of an analysis of current changes in Norwegian long-term care policies and practices. Taking its departure from the different public/private distinctions unpacked by Jeff Weintraub, the article analyses the different ways Norwegian public long-term care services today relate to three different private forms. One is based on the liberal economic model and consists of a private care market. A second represents a classical individual-state approach and relates rather to the new consumer directed citizenship. A third approach is feminist inspired and relates to the impact of informal help on long-term care. In general, the discussion contributes to a more complex understanding of new forms of public/private relationships in the Scandinavian part of the world.