The development of Danish flexicurity and possible lessons for America

Abstract

An article in the Economist earlier this year mentioned interest among certain political circles in Washington in the Danish Flexicurity Model. With this in mind, the aim of this exercise is two-fold. First, to explore not only the current Danish system but how it has evolved into flexicurity, and second, to address the possibility of policy transfer or lessons it may offer the United States. By taking into consideration the broader context in which Danish flexicurity has developed, a more realistic appraisal of policy transfer is possible along with a clear understanding of the flexicurity concept.