The five Nordic countries are often viewed globally through the lens of the ‘Nordic model,’ a term that signifies the region’s political, social, and economic exceptionality. While celebrated for its adaptability to globalization – especially after the 2008-09 financial crisis – the Nordic model has also faced criticism, revealing instances of inter-ethnic tension and exclusion within these small societies. Research into these shifting images and their global circulation is well-established, yet our understanding of the Nordic model’s international impact largely remains centred on Western Europe and North America. By contrast, this volume published by Manchester University Press seeks to deepen our comprehension of the Nordic model and its notions of exceptionalism against the backdrop of the past fifty years of global idea exchange. By analysing the Nordic model’s role in global connections from 1970 to 2020, we delve into how Nordic countries have been positioned as models on the world stage. This era was marked by significant global challenges – environmental degradation, poverty, inequality, racism, and populism – that have shifted power dynamics both globally and in the Nordic region. In this roundtable, we will critically assess the Nordic model’s relevance in global history, addressing the many ways in which the Nordic model has emerged and continues to exist within the context of significant global asymmetries, highlighting the complexities of power and resource distribution. Expected publication date: August 2025