PSA Scandinavian Politics Specialist Group

Dear all,

Apologies for the lengthy silence since the spring, when we held that highly
successful workshop on populist party politics in Scandinavia. (If anyone
would like the papers from this event, please let me know.)

As for future events, the first item on the agenda is the Swedish election,
which is just over three weeks away. Your man on the spot can exclusively
reveal that the Social Democrats are very likely to win. However, the size
of their victory, and what will come afterwards, remains unclear. If anyone
sees, or indeed writes, English-language material on the election before or
after September 15th, do let the list know about it.

Otherwise, the group's next activity is likely to be at the PSA conference
in Leicester on April 15th-17th 2003. We should have at least one panel
there, I think. The likeliest theme so far is Scandinavian social democracy
and whether it has abandoned what previously made it distinct. We needn't be
restricted to one panel, of course. And I should also mention that the
Comparative European Politics Specialist Group has mooted the idea of
jointly sponsored panels.

So, please get in touch with me if (a) you'd be keen to contribute to this
panel or (b) you've got another idea for a theme, perhaps in collaboration
with the CEPSG. We have a few weeks left to formulate a proposal. But, you
know, time goes so fast these days.

Best,

Nick Aylott.