Review by Choice Review
In two important articles published in the British Journal of Criminology, Pratt (criminology, Victoria Univ. of Wellington, NZ) made a strong case supporting both the "reality" of "Nordic exceptionalism" and its ethical, pragmatic, and political value. Here with Eriksson (criminology, Monash Univ., Australia), the objective is to further document Nordic exceptionalism and to explain it in terms of various contexts. The authors contrast Nordic and Anglo policies and practices, accounting for differences in terms of histories that have led to differing versions of social democratic welfarism. Nordic domain assumptions have been rather more ideologically and actually inclusive than their Anglo counterparts, though Pratt and Eriksson are appropriately circumspect in recognizing contemporary efforts to erode such "collectivism" in the name of globalization and neoliberalism. The authors perhaps retain some overly romanticist versions of distinctions, but if widely read (a paperback edition soon, please!), their book gives clear cause to challenge the seemingly inexorable rush among most Anglo societies to emulate the essential brutality and absurdity of the US system. Readers are reminded that lagom (lack of both overcondemnation and praise) is a wise principle for policy makers to adopt, though there are many structural reasons why so often they do not. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic levels/libraries. C. Powell University of Southern Maine
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
