Recent studies of the development of European welfare systems have put the changes in industrial relations and the role of the unions at the centre. At national and European level the «Danish model» of flexicurity has been seen as «good practice» and a model to follow in the in-terests of a greater balance between fairness and efficiency in the labour market. The author sees these choices as part of the process of globalisation and of the historical context of Scandinavian countries, and indicates the factors of continuity and divergence between the proposal of flexicurity, supported by the European Commission, and the principles of flexibility and social security pursued for decades in Scandinavian countries. only subscribers can see the full article