What the United States can learn from protest and political organizing in the Nordic countries.
Liberals in the United States wistfully regard Scandinavia as a kind of social utopia, while conservatives denounce it as a socialist state where government overreach is ubiquitous. Yet across the political spectrum, Americans believe it would be impossible to adopt the Nordic model.
That’s the starting point for Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got it Right—and How We Can, Too, a new book from George Lakey, a former Eugene M. Lang visiting professor for issues of social change at Swarthmore College. Lakey, however, rejects that premise, arguing instead that Americans can adapt the Nordic model to fit the United States, reducing the wealth gap and improving the quality of life for all Americans as a result.
There are limitations to attempts to compare the United States with Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland—the four countries with Viking ancestry that the book focuses on. The United States is far larger than each of those countries, to say nothing of cultural, demographic and political differences. Life in Nordic countries is not always idyllic, either. While Nordic nations consistently rank among countries with the highest quality of life, they are not immune to anti-immigrant and authoritarian political impulses.
Lakey acknowledges the challenge of comparison and notes that the Nordic way is not a panacea. Nevertheless, he believes that Americans have much to learn from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland. In particular, he argues that Americans can draw lessons from the success that Nordic citizens have had in bringing about economic and social change by making demands on their government through political protest. A transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity and length, appears below.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics...states/490847/
"Americans can adapt the Nordic model to fit the United States, reducing the wealth gap and improving the quality of life for all Americans as a result."
the oligarchy and its politicians, and judges, have and will block all progress, as well as turning back earlier progress of the 1960s, 1930s.
"Americans have much to learn" the water is boiling, and they can't even "learn" that.
Modern Americans as Scandanavians would be too busy shaming eachother based on the pillaging and raping and conquering the Vikings did.
Shhhhh, in their admiration of the Scandinavians, they forgot that last part. They hold these what used to be small, mostly genous societies up like utopia - what do they expect when almost everyone looks alike, thinks alike, have the same background/culture. Well, in some of these countries, they're seeing what comes of introducing LARGE numbers of people who look differently, think differently and have completely different backgrounds, religion and cultures - soon they'll be warring fighting and bickering against each other like Americans do.
Not really. They all have sovereign wealth funds. You should look that up. Then wonder why your conservative sources only give you half the truth.
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