Foundations of Ageing Policies

Aim

After completing the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

• Discuss socioeconomic challenges resulting in challenges for the legal and rights systems related to ageing globally, in Europe and Scandinavia
• describe the progression of ageing policies and the politization of ageing, and analyse policy making processes in the field
• analyse and critically assess ageing policies and their impact on society in Scandinavia and in Europe
• identify and discuss how sustainability in an ageing society is addressed in polices in a Scandinavian and European context
• describe policy-making activities and discuss decision-making processes and policies in Ageing and social change within a structured political dialogue

Content

The socioeconomical challenges arising from the demographic shifts of an ageing population, gaining political significance globally, within the European and in the Scandinavian countries are addressed in this course. Further, political theories useful in the analysis of ageing policies and their implementation in practice are introduced. The foundations of ageing policies and the beginning of politicizing the ageing process and older age are discussed through the prism of policymaking processes and interactions between interest groups and other policy actors. In addition, an account is provided on the challenges ageing and social change presents for the national, European, and international legal system, and the barriers created for human rights and social sustainability. A lack of uniform appointments and implementations of ageing policies across historical periods or across welfare states are further discussed.