Equality as a driver of inequality? Universalistic welfare, generalised creditworthiness and financialised housing markets
Abstract
Scandinavian countries are known for their universalistic welfare states, corporatist coordination,
strong economic performances and egalitarian outcomes, an institutional combination often
referred to as the “The Nordic Model”. However, these countries also possess volatile and
increasingly vulnerable housing markets characterized by periods of sharp increases in prices and
rents and some of the highest debt to income ratios in the world. The combination of a
universalistic welfare state and housing market dynamics sets off a self-reinforcing process of
increased stratification and re-familialisation. How did these orderly, egalitarian and welfareoriented societies end up with housing markets that expose their citizens to increasing risk while
driving inequality? The key lies in the effect the Nordic welfare state has on financialized
housing markets. Successful decommodification of human lives leads to generalized
creditworthiness which stimulates asset price inflation and new wealth and risk inequalities.