Introduction: Crisis in the nordic nations and beyond

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. This book addresses the idea of crisis as inherently related to power dynamics by using the Nordic countries as a focal point. The Nordic countries are often considered a peaceful zone largely unaffected by the crises and their effects. In financial and environmental crises experts have been unable to reverse the destructive elements driving those crises, and in relation to the economic crisis, mainstream economic scientists have been a contributing factor. Lentin and Titley stress that social political transformation initiated by neoliberalism are reconceptualized as due to multiculturalism which as such creates a forum to continue reproducing racism in an era where direct racism acts are often condemned. Neoliberalism involves reified notions of culture, where 'multiculturalism' becomes pivotal, some scholars arguing that the term multiculturalism masks the "centrality of race and racism to neo-liberalism". Race and class is closely linked to the environmental crisis.