The Nordic and the Continental European Dimensions in Scandinavian Integration: NORDEK as a Case Study

Abstract

This paper was delivered at the University of Aberdeen's conference on ‘Scandinavia and European Integration’ in March, 1971. There are four sections, the first of which is a chronological review of the Nordek case. Secondly, an analysis of the Nordek Draft Treaty provisions shows that the treaty represents the most far-reaching step in regard to the integration of social and economic policy spheres yet considered in Scandinavia.

Thirdly, the key factor in explaining the collapse of the Nordek plan is the increasing penetration of European ‘high politics' into Nordic cooperative arrangements. Political stalemate concerning expanded membership of the European Economic Community favored Nordek. That stalemate was broken after de Gaulle's political demise. The changed conditions brought into sharp relief the incompatibility of Finland's neutrality policy with participation in a Nordek which would include such potential EEC members as Denmark and Norway.

Finally, future prospects are examined through the construction of four basic choices presented as models. The Greater European model and the Divided Scandinavia model contain the international dimensions of the dilemma presently facing the Scandinavians.