The article briefly spells out the main characteristics of the so-called ″Nordic welfare model″, which is perceived as a distinct model of Western welfare states. One main characteristic has been social security, health, and education policies which encompass the entire population, or in other words: social policies based on the principle of ″universalism″. The authors discuss in particular, with reference to recent reform trends, whether this principle is being threatened in the Norwegian welfare state. Justifications for the principle of universalism are presented. Welfare states are in general based on different norms, values and principles, and the authors present and discuss the major principles and argue that we can observe a shift in emphasis in recent reforms in modern Nordic and European welfare states from the principle of universalism towards more emphasis on the principles of reciprocity and targeting, which imply more emphasis on contracts, duties and incentives for people to take greater responsibility for their own welfare.The article briefly spells out the main characteristics of the so-called ″Nordic welfare model″, which is perceived as a distinct model of Western welfare states. One main characteristic has been social security, health, and education policies which encompass the entire population, or in other words: social policies based on the principle of ″universalism″. The authors discuss in particular, with reference to recent reform trends, whether this principle is being threatened in the Norwegian welfare state. Justifications for the principle of universalism are presented. Welfare states are in general based on different norms, values and principles, and the authors present and discuss the major principles and argue that we can observe a shift in emphasis in recent reforms in modern Nordic and European welfare states from the principle of universalism towards more emphasis on the principles of reciprocity and targeting, which imply more emphasis on contracts, duties and incentives for people to take greater responsibility for their own welfare.