The course deals with a number of basic topics pertaining to the Scandinavian societies, in a comparative framework whenever such an approach is feasible. A tentative list of basic broad topics includes the following: socioeconomic structural changes and ideological developments; the emergence and role of political parties, popular movements, and interest organizations; the breakthrough and functioning of popular representation; the nature and functioning of the party systems with special emphasis upon the Scandinavian Social Democratic movements and their role in the Nordic society; the Finnish Revolution and Civil War and its legacy--the communist movement and fascism in Finland; the construction of the Scandinavian welfare states; the government and the economy; the changing nature and role of the mass media and the educational system in political transformation. From time to time new general topics are added.