The religious influence in the institutional development of the welfare state in the Nordic countries, the case of Finland

This paper addresses the influence of religion in the institutional development of the Nordic welfare state, with a focus in the Finnish welfare state, showing that religion operated as a cultural force and was a key factor for the same conformation of the welfare state in the Nordic countries. Indeed, religion influenced the welfare state, with certain emphasis and in specific ways depending on the context, and not only in a negative way, which is commonly given for granted. That process implied the presence or the absence of religious cleavages, depending on the context, where in some European countries the Christian democrat parties represented those interests in the political sphere, but in other ones the religious revival movements persuaded to the Lutheran state church in social issues, which was mainly the case in Finland for example. This process shows how religion behaved as a cultural force, not only inspiring but also giving shape to the same social policy institution of the welfare state which was developing. Through this presentation, it will be possible to demonstrate that religion shaped the conformation of the Nordic welfare state, pointing out that religious organizations and groups still have a relevant role until today in the implementation of social policy.