The Nordic model has evolved into a concept and a brand in international political debate. Politicians from beyond the Region hail the model for its economic potency, democratic validity and political stability. Nordic politicians present the model as a peculiarly Nordic phenomenon.Abroad, we proudly present our competitiveness, our highly organised labour markets, our welfare systems and our standards of public service. Here in the Nordic countries we have evened out inequalities between genders, classes and cultures. The Nordic region is showing the way and the rest of the world is now sitting up and taking notice.But how closely does what we call the Nordic model correspond with reality? To what extent does our self-image accord with what the rest of the world sees? Is the Nordic social model an expression of a global perspective or just protectionist self-justification?In the 2008 Yearbook, the Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Council have invited a number of international writers to reflect on the Nordic model with the eyes of an outsider. Taking a personal view, they sound out of the strengths and weaknesses of the model. The 2008 Yearbook provides a mini-portrait of the Nordic region and its social model.