I sometimes run across articles that offer an additional follow-up on topics about which I’ve previously posted, or stories in the news that remind me of earlier posts. Here, I’ll just offer short follow-ups on an eclectic set of four topics:
1) “The Scandinavian Style of Capitalism” (November 5, 2018)
I wrote a few weeks ago about the actual specific attributes of the style of capitalism practiced in countries of northern Europe. (Hint: It isn’t “socialism,” and it has a number of traits of which many American supporters of a Scandinavian approach seem largely unaware.) A reader forwarded to me this report Sweden’s Ministry of Finance called “The Swedish Model” (June 20, 2017).
Some of the report is the kind of stuff that any government says when it is not-too-subtly praising itself. It’s not incorrect, but it does tend to sidestep concerns and problem. From the perspective of an American who often hears casual references to the Swedish model or Scandinavian model, it’s interesting to consider the emphasis that the report puts on a shared social responsibility. Here’s a representative paragraph:
“The distinguishing characteristics of the Swedish labour market are coordinated wage formation, an active labour market policy and effective unemployment insurance. The fundamental premise is that individuals should contribute through work and be willing to adjust to new tasks. Provided that individuals perform this part of the social contract, they qualify for rights in the form of income-related social security, and, after needs assessment by the Public Employment Service, active initiatives to facilitate the return to work after having become unemployed. In addition, there is a certain level of financial security for people who do not qualify for income-related social security benefits. The social partners also provide a large portion of support in connection with unemployment through various career readjustment agreements”.
