The Scandinavian Economic Miracle Explained For Americans

[@GIOBOZZ]

If you would like to suggest videos for me to react to please fill this reaction request form hdocs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScs4iYMORX9u6YUlkezibTf19SdxNbzxBrLwflzCf4r0ur3qQ/viewform?usp=sf_link LINK to original Video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKq3omiHa9aki9k

[@bzdtemp]

I'm sorry but the video you reacted to is a flawed one, it leaves out things, has errors and more. Like for example the thing about it being peaceful, for example through out history there has been war between Denmark and Sweden. And also the video is almost without numbers ie. it lacks facts. You can find much better videos to react to.

[@acenuke2513]

if you wanted some stories i can give you mine tho its not a lift from poverty it should give some good insight on how it helps out. A little context: Im a 24 year old dude who has been diagnosed with aspergers syndrom ( a variant of autism) since i beilve 5th grade about 13-14 years ago, recently also got ADHD diagnosed. over the last 13 years i have been under sever preasure due to these mental issues but due to these issues on all education after elementary school i have had different tools and people to help me funktion. examples: SPS guides - people who you talk with once or twice a week to help you strukture your time for ease of studying. SU and handicap bonus - economic support SU is for all a payment to the students from the state to reduce economic preasure support through a job on the side still needed but if you have any handicap that makes studying extensively difficult handcap bonus jumps in and doubles the SU. Medicin deduction - prescribed medicin has a small deduction on the cost about 20% i think that comes out of your taxes. Free health care and education - all types of education and medical assistance psycologial help included is freely provided by the state but you can still get it through the private sector too if needed. My understanding is that if i had been in the US i would not be able to live at all almost due to constant stress. my brain is very focused on order, catagorization, logic and predictability and i get stressed fast by meeting new people and unpredicted situations but also need social stimulants due to my ADHD. at least 2 of my other friends have ADHD and Autsim too and has been put on early pension and getting that paid by the state. I on the otherhand is currently going through studying lab assistant thanks to the state funding. This wouldnt be possible without since i cant jugle work and studying at the same time.

[@Test4Echos]

If you sum up the taxes paid by the company that employs you, and what you as an employee pay in taxes from your salary - about 60-65% disappears in taxes. That's why Sweden is rich.

[@Gullvivas]

That average Scandi is not rich in money,and the contrast of money rich and money poor has been bigger the last 10 yrs! To many are glamorizing Scandinavia now a days! You must be very money rich to by a home or even rent.

[@bzdtemp]

@@Gullvivas Not true. If you wanna live at the most fancy of places it takes lots of money, just as it does in fancy places all over the globe. However you don't have to move many miles and average income is sufficient regardless if you wanna rent or buy. Now things in Scandinavia aren't cheap on a global scale, however wages aren't low either so that makes up for it. There is lots of reasons why people like to live here and that is why people are happy. Once you reach a certain level of comfortable living then having more money brings little in way of happiness.

[@JokerInk-CustomBuilds]

it is called a social wellfare system. A nation is only as strong as its weakest members. By lifting together we ensure we all stand strong and have woprthy lives. Taxes is a good thing if they are spent on strengthening a nation. Taxes are bad when the poor are the ones paying most. Tax the rich and corporations and you will have all the wealth you need to ensure a worthy life for all. It pays to invest in the people.

[@vili5000]

It is about "what kind of neighbors do you want to have?" Those who are poor and dangerous or those who have what they need and may rise above poverty with the help of society. Really simple. Taxes are an investment of a peaceful neighborhood. Motto of Nordic Model. "Feed your wolves and they are safe to live with. Don't feed the wolves and surviving beasts will eat you and your children." It has happened here in the Nordic countries, even though we don't want to talk about it.

[@yottaforce]

Don't entirely agree. Tax everyone, not only the rich. We all need to contribute. It part of the cohesion. The people that said they love taxes - I think they are the exception. Nobody likes taxes, myself included, but the taxes are tolerated, partially because the way they are spent, partially because everybody contributes.

[@JokerInk-CustomBuilds]

@yottaforce I agree everyone should be taxed. But taxation should be progressional. The more ypu make the more you pay. It is alot easier to make do without half of a billion, than it is making do with half of 100 dollars.... Besides that I pay my taxes happily. It is alot cheaper fpr my healthcare and education compared to if I had to pay it privately.

[@FullCanoe]

@@JokerInk-CustomBuilds That IS exactly how the Danish tax system work, as well as the Norwegian - and most likely the Swedish as well.

[@JokerInk-CustomBuilds]

@FullCanoe I am Danish, so I should know... p.s. random fact: I also own a canoe I built myself...😄

[@merjaholm2417]

Hi! I am from Finland. Three years ago I got long covid. After (paid) sick leave I returned to work gradually increasing my working time (from 40% to 100%). It took almost half a year until I managed to work 100%. All this time I got money from the welfare system that covered a big part of the salary that I lost (the company paid only for the working time ie 40% etc of my salary). This system prevents people to return too early to fulltime work for economical reasons that in the longer run can cause new long term sickleaves and even the loss of the working capability. Greetings fråm Finland

[@keldbrodthagen618]

Because we trust each other. People wants to pay taxes, because they understand the benefits it brings to all.

[@acidcrow4051]

I can tell you my story. I live in Norway, but was born in Sweden by Finnish parents. One day, I hit a wall, I was working too much, working out too much, and partying too much. So I was prescribed some SSRI and calming pills. I was working as a truck driver at the time, but I was not allowed to drive while on meds. So, as a grown man, I went to school, and studied Computer Science (for free), and I now got an office job that pays twice as much 😂😂

[@spyro257]

"I live in Norway, but was born in Sweden by Finnish parents" damn my man, u just need some Danish pastries and be a giant, and u are not from a country, u are from the Nordics, ALL OF THEM :)

[@danielsvensson5791]

Swedish People are not rich. We pay almost everything we earn in tax. Do not copy our modul. You are missinformed. Moster swedish People need pills to live. We are the moster singel leaving People.

[@_c_y_p_3]

@@spyro257 The heart shaped vanilla custard pastry and the Christinia special.

[@MrPicky]

@@spyro257 You are forgetting Iceland - a country two and half times the size of Denmark (ok lacking the population 🫣😅)

[@spyro257]

@@MrPicky ehmmm, that's where the "and be a giant" comes from... :)

[@staffancallert]

the scandinavian countries are welfare states where citizens pay taxes that provide healthcare, schools, defense and pensions. The workers have unions that negotiate with employers. A normal Swedish worker has a notice period of 6 months. Day care for children is compulsory and everyone with young children has the right to stay at home when the children are sick. The parents have the right to stay at home with their newborn children for about a year. This is paid for by the Nordic countries paying tax on their income. This makes the citizens belive in the society. Thats why.

[@staldiversholt]

In Denmark the total taxes amounts to somewhere around 75% of our wages when VAT and tariffs are included. Sounds like a lot, but it is fine with me because: From my tax bill I get free education for my kids, good roads to drive on, a high quality health care system, help for my old parents, quite good checks on keeping a healty environment, a highly qualified police force, which seldom needs to use real force, low criminal rates, education of immigrants which in most cases swiftly adopt our way of thinking, very low corruption, healthy food, cheap and well functioning heating an electricity and real freedom to move around - meeting violence in public places is rare. We never lock our cars or the house. We have a constant political quarrel abot tax reductions which is sound, because it keeps our authorities alert about the quality of the services offered. I wish every other country was able to copy the main traits of our socitey - that would make the world a much more peaceful place. Happy New Year to everyone!

[@homorov]

Simply not true.. I believe your calculations are way off.. The total tax rate in Denmark is around 50-55% on average. But I agree.. I also happily pay my taxes due to the benefits of our society. Quoting JFK, "A rising tide lifts all boats".

[@Bobkork]

I'm from Denmark and I think you have a very insightful approach to our Nordic society. We are very aware of the system here, and though taxes are high, most ppl buy into the idea of the benefit for society as a whole. That's perhaps why we stand stronger as a unified people. Thx for your contribution!

[@mariabengtssonviking]

A big correction: 1. here in the Nordic countries we do have very rich people who are living their lives around a company model. Just like your Oligarchs Elon Musk, Trump and others. 2. You shouldn't compare tax rates only, but total costs of living and income. Because if you look at your insurance costs, it's insane and with healthcare insurance you probably being denied when you need it. 3. We in Sweden should change our tax system for workers overtime pay and other things, but we are still better off than USA. USA has become a religious oligarchy...... just look what happens in your country and women's rights.

[@Gullvivas]

👍👍💯

[@ToniAittoniemi]

Hi. I’m from Finland. I have succesfull career in mobile games development. But something that the Nordic Model allowed me to do when I was young, was to work for startups with very low pay that wasn’t enough for the rent, but still use social services to top up the rest that I couldn’t get from being sometimes the only employee. This worked two ways: I got to improve my skills & the local gamedev business got stronger at the same time. I’ve paid that support back in taxes many times over since, and I am grateful for the state in helping both me an local business that way.

[@John-Is-My-Name]

We dont have this system in Sweden, at least not for programmers. This would be very helpful for me right now. I have a really hard time getting my first job as a developer.

[@djperryboy]

As a Swede when I was in school like 28 years ago, my teacher told me that if I want to make games I had to go to Japan. So I gave up those dreams. Today the market seems very different, with several companies offers education as game programmers to young kids.

@@djperryboy Your teacher told you that you have to go to Japan if you want to make games? 🤣 Great and knowledgeable advice!

[@djperryboy]

Yeah I know right.. but like.. gaming market were small in Sweden back then.

[@Cillekat]

Around 80% of Danes have an education. We are paid when we study. If you don't find a job right after you finish your education you will receive money from the state as long as you are active searching for a job. My son was in that situation right after he finished his education to watchmaker. He found work within a few months. We do not have a minimum salary by law from politicians but instead we have negotiated salaries in different branches. It is called: A tripartite negotiation. It is a negotiation between the three central parties in the Danish labor market: the employer organizations, the main organizations (employees) and the Ministry of Finance (the state). The negotiations have taken place since the September Agreement in 1899 and are not unique to the Danish model, but are found in most EU countries. They also negotiate other work conditions.

[@FinUgShiet]

@@Cillekat what? 20% of danes never went to any school 🤣🤣🤣

[@282sleeper]

Excellent video! Greetings from Sweden!

[@hagenissen666]

In Norway, you will never starve to death, but you will sometimes die lonesome, more often if you are poor. It's not perfect, but it kind of works, for now.

[@assarstromblad3280]

0:42 they put the danish flag on sweden. As a Swede I am incredible triggered now... Danskjävlar! :)

[@linuxsauna]

Then again - all Nordic flags colors (and almost the style - originally not a Christian type cross) thrive from ancient heathen Finland (attempted to be erased from history). Red/white= colors of Ukko (the former breeder). Red/yellow= colors of Lemminkäinen (the main breeder). White/blue= colors of Suometar (swan/joutsen, the bride of Lemminkäinen). Yellow/blue= the colors of the last ye olden King of Finland; Seppo Ilmarinen (on which Birger Jarl got fond of in appearance of Ilmarinen's belt & coat upon meeting him in Kainuu / Kvenland / Kveen).

[@freewill8218]

Danskjävlaaaar. 😉

[@bzdtemp]

It's okay. You're always welcome to come visit us here in Denmark.

[@assarstromblad3280]

@@bzdtemp I live very close to denmark, I like you guys it's just a friendly joke :) (I see denmark from my house)

[@ZombieT]

Maybe it was an old map. Skåne, Halland and Bleking belonged to Denmark. After a 300 years long war against the Swedish, The Swedish conquered and occupied this areas and treated the Danish people living there worse than Isis/Dash did in the Middel East.

[@kronop8884]

Still it also produces al lot of rich individuals these days, Sweden as an example has low corporate tax, low capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no property tax, no gift tax. The percentage of dollar millionaires is roughly the same as in the US, and the percentage of dollar billionaires in Sweden is twice that of the US. Having access to affordable education for all regardless of economic background has proved to benefit the society as a whole and also led to a much higher upwards mobility than in for instance the US, it could actually be argued that the equivalent to the American Dream is easier to achieve in any of the Nordic countries than in the US

[@ahkkariq7406]

Trust in the population is without a doubt a very important part of the reason for the success in the Nordic countries. I think you must have experienced living in a smaller community in the Nordics over time to understand how important it is that you as a community pull the load together. In large Nordic cities, you can no longer see how important all the pieces of the puzzle are. The people will still contribute to the community, but they do so because they have inherited an instinct that says it is right to do so, but it is not as easy to see with their own eyes why it is so important. The more immigrants there are in the cities, the more difficult it will be to detect it, because they have not inherited the mentality. Many of them understand, of course, that it is wise to pay tax because they themselves are big consumers of the system, but there are also several of them who cheat on tax if they can - and they do it as a joint project. Something that very few natives want to be part of.

[@teamU11Rodovre]

We are stronger together, and we know it

[@karlscher5170]

Now you only must properly define the 'we'.

[@Microphunktv-jb3kj]

says who , swedish? literally people who to this day treat finns and estonians like slave class and look down upon ... i personally think estonia should cockblock hard scandinavia ... and tariff hardcore, so nothing ends up in scandinavia lol until these pretend good people change their behaviour

[@stefankarlsson-f4i]

wtf u mena america then

[@stahlbergpatreon6062]

But here in Sweden since the late 70's - early 80's the right and far right have gradually managed to increase control, and have bit by bit moved us towards the US model. Leading to looming healthcare crisis, housing shortage, rising electricity prices (even though we make enough to sell to Europe), increased privatization and widening income gap

[@Merecir]

There is no right wing in Sweden. Only extreme left and moderate left.

[@stahlbergpatreon6062]

@@Merecir The right is in the government right now, but their control is tenuous, and they're being very circumspect with their actual opinions, as they've always been. But they've worked tirelessly for decades to push Sweden in the same direction Reagan and Thatcher inspired them to. Also, there's far right in Sweden, fascists and nazis and Christian Dominionists and all that shit you find in other countries, but they have to hide their ties to the governing parties

[@Merecir]

@@stahlbergpatreon6062 Their control is complete, since they have majority in the Riksdag. But if they were truly right wing, they would actually make noticeable changes instead of lame excuses. Their inaction proves that they are just there to manage the SocDem-state. There is no right wing.

[@badrollmodels1298]

the left, the social democrats who made Sweden worse

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

I am from Denmark and unemployment sucks. You do not end up homeless fortunately, but there is a push for you to get back to work. First in the form of how you need to be actively looking for employment, having to document it, frequent meetings with social workers, etc. But on top it is ingrained in society too. If you are umemployed for a while you are lazy, you are pushed to the fringes of society. After I lost my job as part of the 2009 crisis I ended up struggling for years with depression, both for having lost my work, but also because my culture/society made me feel like a failure.

[@Valjean666dk]

I've been in and out of the system for 25 years. I don't know of it is especially unsuited for people struggling with stress, depression and/or anxiety, but my experience is that what works on "lazy people", just makes it worse for people struggling with health issues. I got flex job a few years back, so I don't know if the system is improving, or I just "got lucky". The "you have to work" attitude of society is both good and bad. We have a high % of people working, and few "cheating the system". But it is hard for those not working. It is kinda the same with the high levels of happiness. It's extra hard to be unhappy, when everyone else seem happy. Meik Wiking has an interesting Ted talk on "The Dark Side of Happiness".

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

@Valjean666dk It is rough on those struggling with mental health and other unseen health issues. You easily end up stuck for years on basic unemployment, rather than be moved to one of the other options. I have friends who spent 10-15 years in the system, before they were finally approved for disability retirement or approved for flex job.

[@Bademester]

​ @Valjean666dk Du var endt på gaden i alle andre lande.

[@yottaforce]

@@dianabialaskahansen2972 I have no doubt it sucks, but the rules are that way because otherwise too many would abuse the system and people wouldn't be willing to finance those benefits.

[@Valjean666dk]

@@Bademester De fleste, men ikke alle.

[@Touchpadse]

The Nordic model basically boils down to "A chain isn't stronger than it's weakest link"

[@krølle-1]

håber at du selv synes det lyder godt, for sikke noget vrøvl at fyrer af.

[@Touchpadse]

@krølle-1 I'm sorry, what? I'm Swedish and since we won against you guys back in 1814, I've never learnt to speak danish ;)

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

@@Touchpadse Ouch, that did sting 😂 But I agree but have to correct you at the same time. The last war between Denmark and Sweden was in 1721. It was due to the economical break down we had to get away with some of our possesions and agreed to give Norway to you - and keep Greenland.

[@carstenhansen5757]

@@krølle-1 Hvilken del af det, fatter du ikke?

[@Touchpadse]

@kasperkjrsgaard1447 what about the war of 1813 - 1814? Sure it wasn't just Sweden and Denmark fighting but Sweden was on one side and Denmark was on the other and the end result was that Sweden got Norway from Denmark

[@jimhagglof217]

as a swede who have spent time unemployed, its alot of busy useless work, for example you have to apply to a certain number of jobs in a month (even if there are not enough jobs you could possibly get, you still have to apply) this leads to employers being swamped with applications of ppl that dont qualify for the jobs at all. You will often be assigned some course or workshop to go to daily to work on your CV (mandatory even if the ppl there think your CV is great) those kinds of things. Its great that they provide the support but a major issue of it is the costs, see the unemployment agency no longer work directly with the unemployed but rather hire sub contractors to do so (all those workshops etc) and those sub contractors costs alot of money. It also leads to the ppl that are unemployed to dislike/hate the agency as they feel they essentially do nothing but assign you babysitters.

[@vili5000]

Same in Finland. You don't get benefits if you don't apply for jobs every month.

[@Ormathon]

Dont forget they monitor your bank accounts and check what you spend your money on. If a single friend/family member sends you cash for like birthday/christmas or because you are paying for something for them, they subtract that from the next months pay out. Since that money comming in is a "income" in their eyes, its kinda extreme.

[@Valjean666dk]

Same in Denmark. Someone is checking someone elses homework :p

[@Valjean666dk]

@@Ormathon Wow, that is extreme. That is not the case in Denmark. However many years back, I was on unemployment, and because I had been paid too little on a monthly basis, I was "owed" 15.000 dkr. However more than 10.000 dkr. was considered a "formue"(assets), and should be taxed. Luckily there was a loophole, that since I was moving, part of it could be used for my deposit, so I didn't have to pay anything back.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Being unemployed in Denmark suchs so much, that after two months of unemployment I decided to move to another part of the country, just to be able to get a job. It’s not that hard. It’s a matter of live a reasonable life while taking care of yourself or just lean over and let other wipes your butt!

[@pk9822]

The key-word is taxes. Nothing is done with a magic wand. Nothing is free in the end, there is always someone who is paying for it. I don't mind the system, it affect me and others in positive way when needed.

[@kronop8884]

Taxes, sure but also balanced with economic growth. It the economy doesn't grow...

[@pk9822]

@@kronop8884 Can't argue against that :)

[@Humanfirst528]

We see taxes as a really good thing hence these money finance peoples needs.

[@krølle-1]

you need a job first. so that is key.

[@pk9822]

@@krølle-1 I kind of disagree with that statement in this context. Key-word still remains through "taxes" Person who do not make money are not paying taxes.

[@elincarlsson6388]

Just one note where the narrator was not 100% correct. It is not harder to become extremely rich in the nordics, in fact, the whole point of the free education is so that anyone with a will to study and with a bright idea can become successful without to much struggle or discrimination because they were born into a family without wealth. And with a lot of funding for creative programs, like music and art (which help foster the creative and inventive mind) in the nordic countries we have a lot of inventors, world famous companies (Spotify, Volvo, Saab, H&M, IKEA), famous musicians, producers, song writers and world famous actors. If you search for billinaires collectively there are over 50 in the nordics. Most in Norway and then Sweden of course as the populations are larger, Iceland has one billionaire with a population of 300.000 people.

[@John-Is-My-Name]

Its not harder to get very rich in sweden as an entreprenour or anything like that, but its harder in the sense that you cant just study to like a lawyer or doctor and become rich in the nordics. Those professions are not at the "rich" level like in USA for example. I think that is what he means. You still make a lot of money as a Lawyer or Doctor but you wont be rich.

[@veronicajensen7690]

tat was true, however today no European new company gets big, they are being bought by US companies as soon as they get to a certain point, this is a problem due to EU politics not Nordic politics as much , it's one of the main issues debated in EU right now, too much regulation , not enough investment in important areas of the future , the EU is not competing anymore , EU was 30% of worlds economy now it's around 12% and going down both due to the mentioned policies but also due to Sanctions against Russia and therefore no access to cheap energy , many EU countries don't have their own energy systems other have destroyed them due to climate politics

[@aramisone7198]

I saw statistics that Sweden has more billioners per 1m people then the US.

[@Helagsborinn]

The American Dream is even more possible in Scandinavia than in the US. We have more $millionaires per capita.

[@paragonaesir1957]

I mean, the reason we have what we have in Scandinavia is because of the culture. You could never get this in the US because the culture clashes to much with what is necessary for this to work. *High income taxes, Taxes on food and sugar, taxes on cars and emissions* This could never be applied the same way in the US. (Sweden is effectively taxing about 60% of all your income when you add the taxes on food and clothes along with the 30% income tax) If the US want a similar system, you should not see what worked here and try and apply it directly in the states. You'd need to develop your own system that doesn't clash with the culture of the US states in order to achieve the same thing.

[@evilfish2000]

I think one side effect of the safetynet is that we have better educated people. I was my self a little sick of school and tried to get out into the workforce and just work. However, at that time there was a recession and I could not find a job in my field. So I choose to wait out the recession by taking a 2 year course in school to get a higher degree. It was just 2 years right. That decision has opened so many new doors for me I did not knew existed. And I did it because I could use social benefits to do it. Since that 2 year course, 15 years ago, I have never been out of work once, and I have been fired once and moved to new jobs twice.

[@carstenhansen5757]

What manner of business are you in?

[@johanbergel1926]

Finland and Iceland are NOT Scandinavian countries.

[@JokerInk-CustomBuilds]

relax. we are all nordic and have very similar approaches to government...

[@thomasdalby8420]

Iceland is a self governing with ties to Denmark...so in essence it is Scandinavian. It is not directly ruled by Denmark granted but that is not the same as a total separation.

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

​@@thomasdalby8420I think you are thinking of the Faeroe Isles or Greenland. Iceland is fully independent.

[@vili5000]

In Finland there is a Nordic Model in government spending. Finland belongs in the Nordic countries "Pohjoismaat" even though Finland is actually Fennoscandia and not part of Scandinavia. Finland is the "gate keeper" of the Russian border for Scandinavia.

[@laxyyorma7016]

Saying that Iceland and Finland are Scandinavian countries is very, very small mistake and nobody cares. It's not like saying Scotland is England, that is a (very) big mistake. People say America, but they only mean USA, they say Asian people , but they don't count Siberian Russians there. So....Long list.

[@Ghostly..1277]

Love the video..love my nation ..United we stand ❤ United we always will be as a country and culture and population wise ❤ Happy new year 🎉

[@dandelan]

Wealth shouldn't be a dirty word, but when the top 1% in the US holds 30% of the country's wealth and the bottom 50% only holds 2,5%, you know there's a problem...

[@RogeNik]

Private hospital is the american way ,it is very cheap , and universal . Very ,very good idea 😂

[@samilothjustinian1540]

About liking snow; think about sounds in a snowy landscape, they are softer. I really like that about a snowy winter.

[@erikbernesson8297]

Sweden used to have some of the best Technical universities in the World. That resulted in a bostad industrial sector with low unemployment rates. That is the key, you can't live on air. However today, "refugees" from Africa and the Middle East, never find a job, they just want to use the Swedish wellfare systems, hence today Sweden is just transferred to one of the poorest states in Europe. So the Solution to day, is the "Trump-ideology" to restore former wealth.

[@Futurekalk]

9:35 A myth... It's not free... You pay taxes to support others, who pay taxes to support you... A thing impossible in North America due to the culture of "I need more"...

[@emilholmstrom5966]

Yeah,we don't have politically controlled wages. We have working unions.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Something that would never work in the US. Scandinavians can make living without having minimum wages. In the US removing the minimum wages would just mean that the rich will offer even less in payment for work.

[@carstenhansen5757]

As long as it lasts. More and more are joining the yellow unions.

[@emilholmstrom5966]

@carstenhansen5757 True. That's way more scary than people realize. We do also however have this political history where the social - democrats and the largest working -organisation are hand in hand, wich is the biggest contributing factor as to why our systems look like this.

[@emilholmstrom5966]

And to keep them in check we have the Syndicalists. It's been working alright.

[@FinUgShiet]

Without the finnish social programs I would had been a career criminal. I've gotten so much from the finnish government that I feel indebted to it. They've given me hundreds of thousands of euros during my life to hospital bills, education, etc. And now i'm on my way to getting a diploma and half a year from starting a career, at 32 :) E: I have been homeless 2 times, 1st time it lasted for about 24 hours, 2nd time it lasted for about 2-3 months, which was my fault cuz I didn't contact any social services. E2: And I've gotten my 2nd degree diploma without ANY student loans

[@Valjean666dk]

As much as I love Denmark, going into the unemployment system sucks. It's all about getting you back to work, whether you are ready or not. If you have health issues, either physical or mental, the system is likely to just make it worse. Though I finally got approved for flex job, which is reduced working hours, where the salary is paid partly by the state. This was a few years ago. I don't know if I finally "got lucky", or it reflects improvements. In the US I would probably been out in the streets though.

[@Stinaliza]

Sweeds pay 68% totallyin in taxes. Nowardays we get very little back as the goverment gives our taxmoney to everyone instead of for swedes.

[@SuperSieth]

I am educated in carpentry and construction management. I have had 4 mayor knee-surgeries over the last decade (For free/financed through taxes) and has gotten developted education to stay in the workforce and rehabilitation as well. It is not a perfect system, there is no such thing. But for me, it is the mentality of lifting the weight of the world and each others lifes together, so there is an even flow to people of different ideoligies, health issues and such.

[@SpartacusSPQ]

You can have public services, when you pay for those services in taxes. Or you can have public services and pay Much More, so the CEO’s and stockholders can extract their huge profits out of Your Pocket.

[@hanna1234555]

You asked for a story, so here is the short version of mine from Denmark: Being unemployed is not fun even though I did not become homeless or starve, the Jobcenter kept breathing down my neck and trying to force me to follow the strict rules when on benefits. Because of mental health problems it just made it worse for me. I do believe in the welfare system, but it just needs to adjust to more and more people with mental health difficulties. The system as it is now pushes more challenged people to retire early (and become a so called "burden" on society) rather than to support them into a job where they can become independent. The strict rules and having to always save money here and now takes the humanity part out of the welfare system in my opinion. Today I can not work full time, but they told me that I would never be able to take an education or have a job, so I should go through the process of early retirement. Lucky I knew better, so now I have an education and I can mostly support myself financially. I am not wealthy, but I do not consider myself poor either. Because of our high equality rating I believe. Education is free in Denmark, and you even get paid a small amount. (Very little because it is expected that you have a job on the side, but still...) Generally I am very proud of our Nordic ways, but it is not perfect. Few people exploiting the system has just ruined it for the rest of us unfortunately. But when you are neurodivergent and grow up depressed, of cause it would seem like you would never be able to function on normal terms. The country just need to help before it becomes a problem. If they had done that, I might have had a full time job now. Do not get me wrong! I am not complaining or whining over how unfair my life has been etc. I am more worried it will happen to more children/young adults and more people since neurodivergence is becoming more the norm, and our society is not changing its ways... Mental health etc. is a taboo sort of thing though many people get depressed. It makes me sad that all we have to do is to prevent problems not solve them when they arrive. That would save the country so much money long term! But no one talks about that when discussing politics... They rarely just grace the subject mental health and then move on to anything but mental health... I pray to God that will change, and soon! Anyway, that was my short story :) I would still rather live in Denmark than USA. Sorry, but any country electing Trump as president cannot be a sane country... And USA did it TWICE! Nothing personal against you of cause. Btw. USA have more poor people than they have wealthy, so I would not call it successful. Not even before Trump. I think that equality is what makes Scandinavia successful. But that is my personal opinion again. Sorry if it offends you. You have some interesting views, so thank you for sharing :) Happy New Year

[@EricTheBroBean]

Theoretically, we have 0 homeless people in Norway. Anyone with a citizenship have the right to a place to live (you get to pick your own apartment within a loose procerange), with electricity, appliances, clean tapwater, etc, money for food, etc. If you cant afford it on your own, the government is required to supplement you. If you are homeless, you have purposedly denied to accept help.

[@olwynskye417]

Winter really doesn't feel that dark in north when there's snow. I lived most of my life in Lapland and mostly didn't mind of the dark, because you could actually even see in the middle of a forest to move around. Only now that I live in Southern Finland it has started to bother me, because it's properly dark when there isn't any snow.

[@benttranberg2690]

We're in the middle of the winter right now in southern Norway, and the sun's been shining super bright into my living room for some hours. Sure winter is boring compared to the summer, but the summer here is better than anywhere else in the world, for me. I don't like above 30 Celsius, nor too humid.

[@martinwinther6013]

Were not rich meassured in things we have. Were rich meassured in things we dont need(to worry about) Nomatter your income, you still have everything you need for a life, and more importantly: Youl always have a way out of your current situation.

[@henrikl4244]

I been unemployed for around 6 month 20 years ago. I get enough money to keep my apartment, car and live my life while searching a new work. By time your unemployment paychecks will decrease and it will be harder and harder. You keep of course your heath benefit and schools are paid by tax money so you and yiur children will survive. And yes, the companies with their organisation for their branch sit down with the workers organisation, the branch union.and decided everything together. Most often without a fight. In economy crisis the union step back from their demands or even make special agreements so companies will survive but they demand to get something back when the economy change.

[@JokerInk-CustomBuilds]

12:55 Our minimum wages are guaranteed through the union deals. no need for the government to interveene because the unions wouldn't come to an agreement if both sides don't agree. If they don't agree, the employees have the right to strike.

[@sine2923]

The social democrats in Sweden decided to join the minimum wage policy in EU in 2021. Finland recently made deep cuts to their Nordic model, without even consulting the unions. We’re losing our system.

[@JokerInk-CustomBuilds]

@sine2923 yes, we are fighting the same capitalist forces that americans do. And more and more scandinavians are buying the american media propaganda telling us we deserve everything and everyone else is stealing...

[@yogi4202]

Rødgrød med fløde🥳

[@mikfhan]

Scandinavian voting is a mess of big and small parties in the mix, some are nuts. American voting is deciding which corporation sponsor/lobby you hate the least.

[@golddigger8759]

The episode is very much spot on 👏

[@NMalteC]

As a Dane spending 6 months in Vietnam each year my biggest problem is that as a rule I can't trust anyone in Vietnam. Going to the beach I pack my sandals, shorts, and towel in a dry bag that I tow while swimming. I've lost many items in earlier years. In contrast, no-one in Denmark would touch my stuff.

[@mogenstroen1811]

Hi. Im Danish and i have been working in Canada and having family there too. i have been in Asia for a long time, so i learned and understand the taxes and really feel that im back in my country, which give me security.

[@majbritmlhede7719]

There’s an ingrained trust in having a culture that is more than a 1000 years old. Your words are more worth than a written contract. Walk through the commercial street and you’ll see the goods on the streets outside all the stores. We’ve even got stores that leave their goods on the street after closing hours with a mobile pay number. Finland hasn’t had democracy for more than 60 years.

[@rolandjensen3746]

The young familly (traveling young), an american familly living in Denmark, showed in one of their videos that american and danish famillies in the end pay about the same amount of their paycheck, but the danes get a lot more for their money.

[@J.F.K.O]

One of the weird things at least in Denmark is that you are being paid more as unemployed than you are as a student when you are over 25, 12000 ish kr before taxes per month as unemployed. As unemployed you have to show up to a meeting 4 times a year and "look for a job" so other than your living costs you don't have to many expenses related to what you have to do. Now as a student you are being paid less for either buying a car and drive to school which is not cheap in Denmark, or you take a bus/train which is less expensive but still cost quite a bit of your money. And you have to show up every week day. Anyone see the problem when i say the politicians want everyone to take an education even as an adult the difference as off 2025 seems to be roughly 4000 kroner before taxes. Now there is a system in place to get to the same money every month but then you borrow the money off the state so putting you in debt

[@MrBandholm]

Hi, Danish political science student here: The point about trust is even more special than the video points to. Nordic emigrants to the US had a significantly higher trust in government than most others, so much so that those areas where Scandinavians settled in the US still to this day have a higher trust in the state than other areas. Another important part, that doesn't get a lot of focus but might actually be as important as anything else, is that the Scandinavian countries were all kingdoms, with few nobles. The kings were actually more totalitarian in their power than most kingdoms in Europe, even more so than, say, France. But due to large areas and few noble families, the Swedish kings had to rely more on the big farmers and merchants in the 16th-17th centuries. The exception was Denmark, which is significantly smaller than Sweden and Norway (Norway was part of the Danish kingdom but was like Sweden in size). In one of the wars with Sweden, Danish nobility tried to negotiate with Sweden on their own behalf, and when the Danish king fought the Swedes to a standstill and kept his power, the Danish nobility was in effect cut off from power. This means the class that became the administrators for the King was the merchants. In both Sweden and Denmark (and thus Norway), the system of administration thus became more egalitarian, with more skill and less based on blood. The effect was that the King ofc didn't want corruption with his funds, resulting in societies where corruption is significantly lower (on average) than in other countries (previously the nobles would take bribes, due to their class, but with professional administration, the job and thus position in society were on the line). So as strange as it may seem, part of the trust stems from being kingdoms.

[@Gullvivas]

Har du bodd i midtvesten med familie,så du kjenner samfunnet godt?

[@MrBandholm]

@@Gullvivas Nej, men man skal heller ikke være et sted, for at kunne analysere på den data der samles og fremvises.

[@bruktmoped]

As a Norwegian, I strongly disagree with the idea that the "Nordic model" wouldn’t work in places like the USA. By addressing poverty, you could significantly reduce crime and the need for theft. Of course, such change wouldn’t happen overnight, but I genuinely believe most people don’t want to resort to criminal behavior. As for the so-called "high taxes"-are they really that high? I’m not so sure. Over the course of your life, you pay a substantial amount in taxes, but you also receive a lot in return. For instance: Financial support during unemployment or while pursuing education. Five weeks of paid vacation. Shorter workdays. Affordable healthcare and medicine. Paid parental leave to stay home with your toddler. Disability benefits if you're unable to work due to injury, illness, or handicap. Free healthcare ensures there are no mentally ill individuals abandoned on the streets. No need for private health insurance or dealing with preposterous “pre-existing condition” excuses from insurance companies. No massive deductibles. Free dental care for children and teens up to age 18. Fewer frivolous lawsuits, like people suing after deliberately causing accidents. And that’s just the start-there’s even more that I can’t think of right now.

[@Ormathon]

Lets not forget that EVERYTHING in the state is PUBLIC INFORMATION! As long as its not military classified or security classed(power plants, fuel storage etc), you can get that info. Since hospitals are "owned and run" by a subsection of the state, you can get the info of every single employee, their positions and their current salaries, all the way to the top. Even emails sent internally is classified as public info. Even internal teams conversations are public info and can be pulled if requested. So there is both trust and the knowledge that, we can double check if needed.

[@yottaforce]

That is simply not true. You cannot get information such as individual salaries on individuals in the public sector. There _is_ a freedom of information act in place, but so does many other nations as well.

[@kronop8884]

@@yottaforce At least in Sweden you can find out the salary of anyone, no problem at all.

[@Ormathon]

@@yottaforce Welcome to sweden where being in a gov position means everything you do and say is public :). Unless security or military classified ofc. And i can go to our salary dept and get the salary sheet for EVERYONE. I do it every year actually for my department after the salary increases :P. And i get the salary all the way up to my bosses boss.

[@skolhundarnapavato]

@@yottaforce In sweden any one can ask for and get your tax record that you sign and turn in to the government every year. Din deklaration som lämnas till Skatteverket. All information som Skatteverket har om en person är offentlig information. Undantaget de med skyddad identitet. All communication that comes to a public service company like schools, local government, local service providers and public health care. Get registered and get a unique identity number and a comment about the content, who will receive it and from whom it was. Den svenska diarieföringen, it is a law and it’s regulated. It makes it easier for everyone to do research and for journalists to check that the publication service section does what it’s supposed to do. So we trust that if something isn’t “right” a feeling that it doesn’t add up, it will be uncovered. Most Swedes trust the independent investigating journalism we have. We have public service TV that are trustworthy and two national morning newspapers that are trustworthy. The local newspaper are written by the people that gives tips to the newspaper and local journalists and spread to the people living in the area. The Swedish library are obliged to have the local newspaper and the two national newspapers accessible for everyone. They have many more newspapers and magazines. So even if your family doesn’t have a newspaper at home you can read it at the library. We also have free digital news coverage that is national and international, Omni.se, and for children, teens, youth and reading disability or them still learning Swedish we have 8sidor.se, you can get the articles read for you. 8sidor are produced by the government. Myndigheten för tillgängliga media, the part of the government has as purpose to make sure that everyone in Sweden has access to information. So our trust in the government is not blind. We know that anyone can whenever they want, ask for information, for example who was attending the meeting there they decided to close a school and sale the building and the land to a private company. Then we can go to Skatteverket and ask for the tax papers for all of them. If something feels wrong of we can write an article and send to the local newspaper. Every day there is one page in the local newspaper dedicated to articles or small commentary or opinions written by the citizens. Some times the journalists will make it to a story and dig deeper. We have trust because we know that we have the right to get the information we want, when we want it. As a teacher in digital thinking, digital communication and source criticism, I tech this to my students age 6-12 years old. I show how it works and they write small opinion pieces that the local newspaper publish. I show them how they evaluate a news story and how to check it, so they can decide if it is trues worthy or not.

[@siv-o4q]

And I am swedish and thinks that everything derives out of our climate. No terrible heat eating up our psyches.

[@cl154-o3o]

If youre unemployed you can chose to seek unemployment pay from the government. You will have to be actively job seeking, usually min 2. job req. per week. Then youre eligible to get paid 90% of your last 3 months pay each month. With a min and max amount depending on the year. You can be in the unemployment welfare for 2 years if you worked 1 year prior.

[@thorsteinnhk]

As a person born in a Nordic country currently living in the United States the size is a big factor. The abstraction between the people and their federal government is a big factor of why the Nordic model would likely not succeed. The only way I believe for the US to apply successfully any of the concepts of the Scandinavian model would be at state level or smaller form of government where the people see the government to humanise the government to obtain the social trust.

[@vesaroivainen]

The fact today 2025, is that when the right-wing and the rich came to power, the downfall of the Finnish welfare state started immediately and began to crumble and the cuts in benefits and healthcare for the poor started rightaway. Finland is no longer the welfare state I knew when I was younger.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

As a Dane the Social Program is a minimum, but most pay for a State assured Unimployment Insurance, added to the Union Membership, so a very large percentage is also Union Members. The Unions negotiate with the similar Employers Group a basic level of raise in pay every year, so that we have no "McJobs"! In Denmark even McDonalds employees are paid a salary to live from, as people working in Restaurants only have tips as an added benefit on top, for extra Service and mostly included in the prices to see, before entering a Restaurant. We don't pay an added Tax on top of prices, by that. The price to see is the price to pay in shops as Restaurants!!!

[@hostergaard]

Well, going through unemployment was a pointless pain in the butt because for me, I was changing what I was studying at uni and for a month or two I had to be on unemployment. In Denmark we get money while studying (we don't have to pay back) but since I was changing I could get that for a couple of months. It was a pain that I had to apply for jobs and go to all of these job hunting courses knowing full well that I was not looking for a job. Thing is, while stressful and annoying I never have to worry about having food on the table or a place to live. Here in Denmark it would never enter my mind that I would not have a place to live or food on the table. Loosing your job and beeing on the doll as the brits say is measured more on how annoying it's gonna be rather than how much it's gonna ruin your life. I think for me it's hard to understand living a life without that basic security, that you know no matter how bad things get, there is always a safety net to catch you. Now what you get is not luxury, its gonna be tight, especially because of how expensive a country it is, but as long as you are careful you can make do.

[@janlindtner305]

Education and social security. It is one of the secrets👍👍👍

[@EOOtikattenant]

We live far up north. We had to trust each other to survive. Historically, a nobleman would strip of his coat and join the harvest line along with his serfs. We needed one another, therefore we also trust.

[@Girox4x1x3]

It is not true that the average Dane pays 47% tax. The average Dane pays 37%. It is only the rich people (above 611.800 kr/ year or $81,019) who pays 37 % plus 15 %

[@DanishDude93]

To your question about what unemployment is like (from a Danish perspective) I was unemployed for 3 months after finishing my education in IT. I had to attend job application classes/workshops at my union regularly, plus document every job I applied for (I think the minimum requirement was 2 job applications a week) in order to receive unemployment benefits. Outside of that I kept my career-related skills in check on my own time through free videos on youtube and cheap courses on Udemy

Talking unemployment... I had the unfortunate opportunity to acquaintance myself with the system for the first time in many many years earlier in 2024. Having been an employee for 5.5 years, I was affected by company-wide layoffs. However, I was lucky. To begin with, I always make sure to be a member of an unemployment insurance. These are quite limited and with my previously fairly limited salary, it would mean a hefty ( -50% + ) reduction in net income. However, I had an additional insurance through my union (I'm in PR and Communications, so not your regular union associated jobs in the U.S.), thus ending up having the same net income for 120 work days (Mon-Fri). That has given me the opportunity not only to relax and recoup, but also to properly prepare for job hunting and, as it turns out, diving into the realm of consulting. So yeah, unemployment insurances are a BIG thing.

[@siwbergfall6623]

Did you know that in Norway, the police has higher education? 3 years of studying. I just had to mention that. Oh, we have millionares allso. Not everybody is the same, when it comes to economic. We can have really warm beautiful summers here as well. And I will gladly pay my taxes, when I get free schooling, free healthcare and the prisonsystem is working on another level! One last thing: why dont you want to visit Norway?

[@weitlingD3P]

Company tax in Denmark is 22% and companies have a lot of benefits.

[@astarothnyarlathotep3815]

It's very simple I'd say: Gustav Vasa made great shows of putting the ppl first in tearing down a greedy Catholic Chruch during the reformation, and using the insane amounts of valuables they had assembled to provide for the ppl, and creating laws that made all officials very much directly answerable to the law. Including nobility. This turn-about fostered ENORMOUS trust with the ppl, and later rulers built upon that for quite some time. There were bumps ofc, but in general the trust of the ppl was maintained ever since. At least until this last century, now it's dwindling fast. But that line of policies clearly defines where the trust originated. It spread across Northern Europe in that time.

[@GugureSux]

7:00 The Nordic "safety nets" are so strong, that even unemployed can indeed still live in an rental apartment, just about manage the obligatory monthly expenses, and keep themselves fed. Just barely this day and age, since the housing prices just keep climbing, but it beats living out on the streets. Every once in a while you see headlines describing some "wellfare leech" who refuses to work and is essentially kept alive with the support money, but those folks are a small minority. This day and age, it would seem that finding a traditional 8h full-time job with a stable salary is getting tougher and tougher, as less and less MAN power is needed to run most modern services and systems... all while the available jobs are true specialist positions.

[@GugureSux]

20:40 Swedes remained "neutral" and avoided WW2 entirely. They prepared for the worst, but avoided full-blown conflict the entire time. Norway and Denmark were occupied by the Nazi Germany though, but were liberated when N. Germany collapsed. Finns really took the major blows during the War, all thanks to the scummy Molotov-Ribbentrop pact Stalin and Hitler signed.

[@Axel-b3y6f]

0:48 okay so I just wanna chec that im not collor blind cuz I am preatty shure that swedens flag is blue an yellow and not red and whith like denmark, have I gone crazy or did they just mess upp in the vid? Btw norway looks a lill of to

[@Nassla]

This was in 1980 then it has slowly change for the worse. The input of people from country's wanting to live as in the country's they are "fleeing from has changed peaceful to an violent. Women's right are worse of.

[@Calicarver]

1) Americans needs to stop the organized corruption and ensure that there can be no financial donations to political campaigns or politicians. 2) Re-instate the "Fairness Doctrine": Laws must ensure both sides in political sides are given equal time and exposure in media and other online outlets that has more than 5000 subscribers These two will reduce undue influence of a few wealthy and industry over the will of people, and a better informed less polarized public.

[@atleandersen1924]

You have no idea, now much "American way" you would be kissing goodbye, if you were to go full Scandinavian. Now as a Scandinavian, I would rather have both arms pulled off, than be forced to go full "stars and stripes" But, In equal measure, I would gladly have both arms pulled off, if I could only escape the almost medieval greed, the state shows towards anything and everything that comes my way.

[@faandersen12]

The video is of course a glamorous picture of how it is, but it’s nice to get reminded how well we are of. I’m from Denmark. I study to become an engineer, which I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t do if there wasn’t so much support from the system. On the other hand, (I, as a young person) think that we failed and forgot our values when integrating people in need, from other countries. It also fells like the trust is dropping rapidly. Both because that we can’t live in our own little Scandinavian bubble anymore, but also because a lot of families struggle economically. It’s like we forgot our lovely ‘Scandinavian model’. U get a sub from me, but then come to Copenhagen instead of Sweden!😂 much cooler in Denmark ofc

[@fakkel321]

Yea i feel the trust dropping sadly. Also seam like our politicians get more and more Americanized.

[@JokerInk-CustomBuilds]

13:38 I hate the "size arguement"... it is just about scaling up. denmark is small. But the nordic countries combined are camparable to US. we just have nations where you have states. In regards to the social Trust issues mentionned shortly after I do agree. For any country to adopt the nordic model they would have to go through a situation that makes them trust eachother to cooperate. Thats the real challenge. American media and ideals have been telling the citizens that it is a dog eat dog world where your happiness and success depends on you alone; working against your fellow citizens. Individuals over community. How does one convince a nation that cooperation is the key to common success?

[@tomastorheim7283]

What many people do not get is that the Nordic model was implemented by those in power, because they saw the direction society was heading in, and if it continued in that direction, they would loose power unless they found a solution. The one advantage the Nordic's had, was that they had a society that was both individual and community based, in that an individual could flourish, but not at the cost of the community, and for the community to flourish, the individual had to be considered, and more often than not, power was formed by consensus. Most other nations have/had either an aristocracy that was/is used to power, and considers their power to be theirs by right, or they have rich people that consider their position of power as earned, in both cases they do not want to share power with those they consider to not having earned the right to have power, in other words, those of lesser means. So, in most cases, those in power must either come to the realisation that they need to help those in need, in a systematic way through the nations apparatus, and not through donations or private initiatives, or they will have a revolution on their hands were they may loose both their power and their lives. What comes after such a revolution would be dependent on what the goals of revolutionary leaders would be.

[@larseriksson1741]

I love Sweden and the Scandinavian system. I would never want to live in the US. We also have some problems here in Scandinavia, of course. The Scandinavian countries are quite different in themselves with different qualities, but the foundation is based on empathy and trust.

[@janlindtner305]

When you face a problem in your adult life and don't know what to do, you fall back on doing what you saw your parents do❤👍🤟

[@henrikbuhl2135]

The communist party got 2.4 percent of votes in 1939 election for parliament and the Nazi Party got 1.8 percent in the same election. So it's correct to claim that Denmark had major problems with these parties.

[@KariHelander]

If you are unemployed in Finland and cannot find a job with your education, you can apply for retraining in a profession where employment opportunities are better. During the training period, the state pays for the training, unemployment benefits and helps pay the rent.

[@agw5425]

Struggling sins I was young with mental health issues I was often unable to work 100% and was often in need of help from the state and it provided. You will never get out of the lower class while on welfare BUT you will have all basic needs met IF you are a citizen or have lived/worked here in Sweden legally at least 2-3 years and follow the "rules". I am thankful for the help I get from the state, many other places may have better opportunities to get rich but Sweden do take good care of legal residents. Sweden was not in ww1 or ww2 we were "neutral", perhaps cowardly but we survived intact and could rebuild and help others rebuild after both world wars. The system is bureaucratic and complicated to say the least, but it works quite well if you know how to navigate it when we need it. I give Sweden a A- grade, good with room to improve.

[@thomasjamison2050]

A good first step in this direction would be ditch our predatory healthcare system and just use medicare for all, minus the 20% penalty on part B.

[@MalconProserpina]

You're doing a fantastic job! Just a quick off-topic question: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). Could you explain how to move them to Binance?

[@cobra3289]

Most important with governement handouts, it maintain spending power wich benefit most businesses and society as a whole.

[@nissene1]

There was a similar system in the USA in during the 50's and 60's, though. With less disparity between rich and poor, fairly cheap or free schooling, but you didn't keep it. Why?

[@madspetersen1708]

About trust. It is not only trust between people but also trust in the government and state. Thats why Denmark has the lowest corruption in the world.

[@MrHenrikAndersson]

The US can never adopt this model. Your diversity is both your strength and your weakness. Sweden is the size of California but with the population of New Jersey. Up until recently a very homogenic population, with shared values and concerns. This is now eroding.

[@djperryboy]

I recommend you to react to: "Swedish Military Industry - best in the world?"

[@trygvehadland9560]

I don't think the politics or the so-called recipe for the Nordic success is quite right, it's much more a cultural thing... and much older thought than in the last hundred years. I think it started as long ago as the Stone Age and the Bronze Age when people found out that creating something to live off in countries that half the year is dark and cold, forces a way of working together to survive that requires everyone to participate. I think it is this culture that shines through in the new policy, we try to get everyone on board and not leave anyone behind... It is not a socialist mindset, it is more certain that everyone is involved, it will be an advantage for everyone, even the rich, and the political model is more that our politicians are elected to handle our best interests... Our politicians are our workers... They take care of things like the health sector, education, defense and infrastructure.... A system that guards your back and makes sure no one falls behind and that also makes us pay the taxes with joy.... We must also not forget the fact that the Nordic countries have never had a strong nobility class or nobility as a whole and that the strong middle class mostly came from farmers who owned their own land, and hard-working merchants and sailors and fishermen... We don't see many "upper-class" politicians in our societies...

[@vili5000]

Well there were nobles and land lord - peon system. It just crashed with the Russian revolution. The economy was based on agricultural work in all Nordic countries. In Finland 1918 was a revolution attempt and that left huge scars on the whole nation. But after the winter war and the continuous war against the Soviet union we had to come together. We needed everyone. So the government made some really magnificent table turns and promised everyone a compensation from labor they were doing for society. Even still a big number of Finns moved abroad to the States, Sweden and Canada. It was a huge percentage of the population that left and never came back.

[@trygvehadland9560]

@@vili5000 We did not have nobles in Norway, however there was som farmers that grew a god fortune. But the big picture I think the trust in everyone is a culture and not som political choise and the politics could not work with out the cultural aspect.

[@ahkkariq7406]

I completely agree! It lies deep in the people themselves, and it is said that they can see it in Minnesota and other states in the USA that have a large proportion of immigrants from the Nordic countries. Several generations after they moved out of the Nordic countries, society is still characterized by the legacy they brought with them.

[@DonFunk70]

In short.... "free" education and "free" healthcare. That is why Scandinavian countries are rich !

[@jensstubbestergaard6794]

The American Dream does not happen in USA. USA is number two from the bottom in social mobility amongst OECD members whereas no less than 70% of Swedish Dollar billionaires are selfmade. Apart from Zurich Stockholm has the highest Dollar billionaire concentration.

[@bjornarsteine3922]

Income tax is just a little part of it. We also pay tax and fees on everything we buy. All added together, some place around 80% of the income goes back to the state in form of taxes on goods, services and money earned.

[@carolinekofahl8867]

In Denmark we don't have a minimum wage, but the lowest wages according to the collective agreements between unions of employers and unions of employees function as a minimum wage. You can hire people to a lower wage but only do it if you don't care about your reputation 😂

[@tuijanordstrom3063]

Commenting unemployment and possibility to study- while the economic small help keeps you surviving without becoming homeless like often is the case in the US, people keep their power to have their destiny in their own hands: look until you find an employment or go back to school.

[@diegokorhonen]

I've been unemployed and the benefits aren't that luxorious. You don't have money more than the bare minimum. If foreigners think the benefits are high and people are unemployed just because it's nice it's not. Even the lowest paying job gives you much higher standards of living

[@KarlKristofferJohnsson]

Yes, Sweden was officially neutral throughout both world wars and the cold war. I assume it was the cold war you meant. The winter war was specifically between Finland and the Soviet Union, so there would have been no reason to expect Sweden to get involved in that (though there were a lot of Swedish volunteers fighting on the side of Finland). Also, I'm saying we were "officially neutral", because during WW2 we did allow the nazis to walk right through Sweden to invade Norway. But the Swedish military was not involved in any of these wars.

[@NovaLand]

One downside with a wellfare program is that pride keeps people from taking low wage jobs, but instead doesn't do anything. In the US, if you don't take that crap job, u know you're game over. Social wellfare would work if facebook and other social media didn't exist to publish how they're doing and people beign afraid of showing a "bad side" to their life. ... or that's at leat my oppinion from what i've seen with some people around me.

[@lotteolsen3920]

Also think of who is elected into parliament: in the us - as I understand it - you have to be rich. In Denmark it is normal middle class people with or without education. It must effect how the world is looked upon.