Why do Swedes insist on splitting payments in eating places? Why is the dad and mom’ web earnings irrelevant when a pupil applies for a pupil mortgage from the state? Why do Swedes appear so disinterested within the wellbeing of others, if they’re a collectivist nation a lot related to the welfare state? Many will discover the reply to those questions moderately shocking at first, however this e book is smart of many superficially unrelated obscurities encountered by anybody considering Sweden.

 

Writer: Berggren Henrik & Trägårdh Lars

Swedish title: Är svensken människa? Gemenskap och oberoende i det moderna Sverige

12 months: 2006

Pages: 388

English title: –

My very own translation of the title: Are Swedes Human Beings? Particular person autonomy and social belief in trendy Sweden.

 

 

I consider that it is a must-read for anybody who desires to grasp Swedish tradition and values on a deeper degree. This goes far past folkloric and business manifestations of tradition, and maps the Nordic manner of coping with psychological and existential questions and their sensible penalties. Sadly, this e book doesn’t exist in English translation. Sadly, as a result of it’s not a simple learn if you’re new to the Swedish language, and it is a moderately good introduction to Swedish social construction – from particulars of on a regular basis life to bigger political reforms.

 

(If you’re , a (nonetheless contextually biased) abstract of elements of the e book was printed in English, for the World Financial Discussion board in Davos in 2011. The pdf is on the market for obtain right here (pages 13-29). And the e book itself – an ideal, and demanding, reward to your Swedish companion, in-laws, or colleagues.)

 

Though the e book will be thought-about as fairly a heavy learn, it’s positively not inaccessible, not less than in case your first language is Swedish. What makes me glad is that, compared to for instance Åke Daun’s Swedish Mentality, Berggren and Trägårdh (historians, each of them) dare to make use of apart from pure statistical sources, and base most of their concept on literature. It is a bonus if you’re aware of the large names of western philosophy, and main figures in Swedish cultural historical past, comparable to August Strindberg, Ellen Key and Alva Myrdal, however it’s not obligatory so that you can grasp the details of the e book.

 

Beginning off within the 15th century, Berggren and Trägårdh hint the rebellion of a nationwide consciousness, and the way that is revealing itself in previous and current administrative course and coverage. With that, they tackle the frequent (mis)conception that Sweden is a collectivist, socialist, nation. Most individuals, together with Swedes, consider that such ideologies construct the muse of Swedish ideas, however face incongruities while utilizing this as a proof to cultural follow. On this e book, the authors counsel that essentially the most crucial Swedish values are constructed on pure individualism, and that is additionally, though at first look contradictorily, the place the welfare state stems from. (Individualism, on this sense, has nothing to do with being egocentric or narcissistic, and so they depart it to the reader to determine whether or not Swedish individuals are, or not.)

 

Individualism is outlined as the liberty from social obligations which might be carried out with an oblique (generally monetary) aim in thoughts. To come back again to the questions above, and search for a solution that goes past norms and habits, we are able to see a standard sample. Swedes historically cut up their payments in order that no person owes anybody. Owing somebody may imply that subsequent time you meet, it’s not since you like one another, however as a result of it’s essential to pay again one thing. (Word that the Swedish time period for owing somebody, att vara skyldig, is similar as to be responsible.) A pupil with rich dad and mom get their grant and mortgage from the state, in order that they won’t be obliged to take a profession path of their dad and mom’ selection with a view to finance their research. And the welfare state is an impersonal, unemotional organisation that takes rational choices to make sure that every particular person shall be free from others, and in that, equal.

 

You could argue that the examples above are excessive, and certainly illustrating a really chilly, nearly inhuman, nationwide character. Nonetheless, I have to make clear three issues. First, that is, on a private degree, unconscious. This reasoning goes again for hundreds of years, and isn’t a lot mirrored upon once we get on with our on a regular basis life. Second, this doesn’t imply that Swedes don’t love one another. It signifies that monetary and emotional transactions are separated, and we solely proceed {our relationships} which might be giving us one thing on an emotional degree. Final, I consider that the impression of a machine-like non-human comes very a lot from once we take a look at this concept, and concentrate on the topic solely. Nonetheless, if we flip this round, and take a look at how we regard and deal with others, the picture modifications. Right here, we see an enormous respect for different people’ privateness, autonomy and life selections.

 

From my phrases, you would possibly get the impression that this e book is attempting to defend the Nordic mannequin, and justify the obvious coldness and inhospitality of Swedes. I don’t consider that is the intent. Additionally much less profitable penalties of the welfare state are mentioned, together with the controversial sterilisations of psychological well being sufferers within the 20th century. This e book doesn’t justify, it’s a critical try to grasp and clarify.

 

Are Swedes actually human beings? Sure, we’re, and with that, imperfect. Please forgive us for that.

 

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