Community Psychology in a Scandinavian Welfare Society: The Case of Norway

In the current review of CP in Norway, it is concluded that little CP is being undertaken, according to a stringent definition of CP work. However, many Norwegian psychologists across a wide scope of fields integrate and adopt CP principles in their work. Yet, the critical and political nature of CP has been absent. This situation is explained on the basis of sociocultural and political conditions. The ideals of social justice and security, empowerment, and community participation have been cornerstones in the development of the Norwegian welfare state. CP-oriented psychologists in Norway have more or less tacitly taken for grated that they are part of a larger system or process—the welfare society—characterized by fairness and social justice. As it is argued in the current review, the recognition of these values is diminishing, due to globalization and the gradually stronger influence of neoliberalism (cf. Nafstad, Carlquist & Blakar, in press). Therefore, in the years to come, CP in Norway should render itself into a more prominent and critical discipline within Norwegian psychology, explicitly focusing on and arguing for alternative values based on solidarity and social equality.