Swedish cuisine has yet to sweep the rest of Europe
Sweden has taken the moral high ground again. In the same week that Italy’s handling of the G8 conference was condemned as ‘chaotic from start to finish’ and ‘without an agenda’, the Swedish prime minister issued a considered, heartfelt call to Europe to take climate change more seriously. Compared to the rest of Europe, Sweden is already a model of environmental restraint, with the world’s highest carbon taxes combined with impressively high GDP growth (until the economic crisis). They also have an inclusive welfare state, a near classless society and one of the highest standards of living in the world. And yet for all this, Sweden remains something of an enigma to outsiders. How many British, French or Italians could name a major Swedish politician or political party, for example?
As Jonathan Power argues in an exclusive online essay for Prospect, Swedish culture and society really is distinct from the rest of Europe in a number of crucial ways. From sexual habits to foreign policy, Power’s adoptive home is a place where the “pursuit of equality goes deeper,” with consequences both good and bad. Swedes marry later, work harder, travel less and pay more tax than the rest of us. Quite possibly they are happier too.
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From the article: [Sweden] was the only western nation to give significant funds to the African National Congress.
Not correct. Norway, Denmark and Finland also supported the ANC and other anti-apartheid organizations for years, directly and through NGOs.
http://www.metafilter.com/83120/In-Search-of-the-Swedish-Soul#2642406
Jonathan Power´s essay is a beauty. It only lacks to have written about the typical arrogance of the Swedes. For them, it does not matter what they do, say or think, they show their arrogance, specially if the other part is a foreigner. They treat others, their nationals included, with contempt and rudeness. I believe they still think of themselves as the conquerors of Europe and the only thing they have really accomplished well was to betray its neighbours by becoming an ally og Hitler for their own benefit. History is written and it has not been written wrong or changed. Swedes are arrogant, racists and discriminating because they still believe they live in the times of Nazi Germany.
But, did they ever had a soul? I wonder
Dear Jonathan,
I like the article for several reasons. I can see your point that Swedes in general (and Danes for that matter) are basically puritan-hedonists, a contradiction in terms, with a tendency towards binge drinking/sex/anything. At the same time they are rather uptight and then totally way out ‘orgaistic’ episodes which are accepted, without shame. But still.
Secondly, the role of women since the middle ages, because of extreme bilateral inheritance made sure that women never could be totally subjugated.
Thirdly, an irritating self-assurance that what ‘we’ do is always the right thing, to such an extent that it tolerates criticism and irony. Finally, the close ties between land (nature) and city (civilization) which can be extended to human biology, and perhap salso amszing equanimity in emotion and pragmatism. Denmark seems to be the same in so many respects.
I really liked this article.
Originally from southern country and living the most of time in southern Europe,I do not know at all this country and the article gave me a desire to discover it.
I am sure that we still can find a lot of positive things there.
I am living in Sweden for a while. Before I came here, I haven’t experienced racism or xenophobia (the latter as the fear meaning); and I’m not an afro-descendant person. If you are a foreigner, it is ‘expected’ that you must behave more Swedish than the Swedes; if not, you will never be accepted in their discriminatory society. Of course, there are exceptions, but they are just that, an exception.
Jonathan, you are surrounded there by truly great artists…