Sweden has a lot to offer as a country. Sweden offers rich history, art & design, natural beauty, superior quality of life, a strong political system, and progressive views to round it out. Sweden is very much an ideal country to be a member of.
The major question it leaves us with is can Sweden’s system work elsewhere? Would it be possible to implement the Swedish way in to the U.S.? Analyzing the fundamental differences of the U.S. way of life and Sweden our belief is the system is unique to the Scandinavian North.
The first reason is the nation’s population. Sweden’s population is 10 million people. That figure is equivalent of the 10th largest state in the U.S. Furthermore, Sweden’s largest city, Stockholm, has a population of 952,058 thousand while New York City has a population of 8.538 million. Population vastly determines what governmental and social issues can be implemented. One example are taxes. In a smaller system, Taxes are much easier to collect and their impact is easier to measure. Although Swedes experience higher tax rates, people are able to see what their money is going towards. Education and healthcare are included in with their contribution. Sweden’s people find true value in working alongside the government. The relationship is healthy and members of the society buy in to their government. This is great and very successful in Sweden but we believe the sheer size of the U.S. limits the opportunity to adopt this methodology.
The Second point is culture. Having a system rooted in transparency and producing results, trust becomes a byproduct. This trust becomes widespread and is ingrained in the Swedish culture. This culture is quite different than the United States. Members of the United States tend to doubt the system. Trust has become obsolete due to a history of false promise and deception. The compounding effect creates division amongst there people, likewise the opportunities to exploit benefits. Swede’s unwavering optimism and belief in the system has created a culture that is very sustainable and desired.
The final point is the Swedish value system. Sweden’s culture supports a healthy value system. Understanding what truly matters has given them the reputation of being one of the happiest countries in the world. Sweden’s value a healthy work life balance. They work hard but aren’t consumed by it. Sweden understands the importance of nature. Most are very active and loves the outdoors. Additionally, the office environment is superior. Offices are required to each have a window and people on average tend work drastically less hours per week than United States. Swede’s take breaks or “Fikas” multiple times a day. This creates a healthier attitude towards work. Fika offers the opportunity to connect with people outside the office, feel recharged, and more motivated to work.
In conclusion, we believe Sweden has prosperous socioeconomic system that is very admirable and unique. The combination of population, culture, and values encompass this system. That being said, we believe there are tradeoffs to both systems. Whether it being the Swedish system or United States way of life it is important to find what works best for the individual.
