Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got it Right-and how We Can, Too
How the Nordic model evolved and what level of community organizing was necessary
The readers of this book get to understand about the evolution of the Scandinavian model. Nordic countries perform better in their societies, especially when it comes to the most social metrics. The crime rates have tremendously reduced, and the education system is free, starting from the k-12 level through to the vocational level and University level. There is also affordable child care that empowers women as one of the most effective strategies that have not been implemented in the United States (Lakey,23). Different social programs have also been involved in the Nordic countries that start from the busts of the market. As a result, there is a lower unemployment rate with wages and salaries being higher. Other social services such as vacations are longer with workweeks being shorter for all the Citizens. In addition to this, there is a smaller gap between the rich and the poor people. This evolution has been crucial because of the demand for economic equality that is more important than the income.
This book shows how Nordic policies have been implemented starting from educational systems to taxation and how they view the social organizations. Contrary to the American notion of Scandinavians having a complete socialism problem, the communities are expected to work, especially those who can do so. Paid work is an integral part of the society as other countries build employment model based on this system. For a long time, the government has been raising the unemployment rate as some people blame the people who are unemployed for not being able to acquire the jobs. The level of community organizing includes the community is emphasizing on maximizing the labor Force through participation. Community organizing is also identified with maximizing the Promotion of gender equality and equal extension in levels that are appreciated with everyone in society. The large magnitude of distribution of income, together with the extensive use of expansionary fiscal policies, guarantees improved results. The emphasis on paid work is one of the most fundamental ideas that can allow a society to survive. Countries such as the United States and Canada have notably equal universal health, which has failed to live up to the expectations of the people. The author, Lakey, demonstrates that economic equality is essential, and the Scandinavian countries have proven that it can work in a way that the United States can also implement.
Design for living
When it comes to the style of living, the book does not show whether the same countries have solved all the problems that they are exposed to. They are individuals who have been victims of discrimination. Others have suffered anti-immigration sentiment with issues such as racism has been part of the society as well. Large companies such as state oil and oil companies are owned by the government that creates economic benefits to the people. The author acknowledges the investment that has been done in the Canadian Tar Sands that is meant to improve the living conditions of the people. The Scandinavian countries also look four ways in which they can work inclusively and create democratic Solutions. The public pressure also induces the state oil that digests different holdings. Implementing ethical standards and diversity has proven to have a positive impact on the living conditions of the people.
The book makes no argument that these countries have solved all their problems. The Sami, the nomadic Indigenous people who travel across Scandinavia, have long been victims of discrimination (Lakey,34). Anti-immigration sentiments and racism have grown and have been whipped up by right-wing opportunists. Statoil, the oil company, owned mainly by the Norwegian government, has created economic benefits but has been a significant investor in the Canadian tar sands. Lakey acknowledges all this and more. But again, and again, he outlines how Scandinavians look for and work for inclusive, creative, democratic solutions. The Sami and their institutions have considerable authority in Norway and Sweden. Public pressure-induced Statoil to divest from its tar sands holdings. Public opinion polls show that Norwegians overwhelmingly believe that immigration and ethnic diversity are positive developments. As the gains of the Scandinavian countries are threatened, people continue to fight back and win.
In transportation policy, the primary goals that the people in to achieve our sustainability cost-saving efficiency and the provision of better health through exercise. The Nordic Healthcare system is also less expensive because the issues in Healthcare are more likely to be shared in countries that have the problem of inequality.
One of the greatest secrets in the Nordic countries is the provision of universal service States and not only the welfare States. No person is employed differently because they provide services that are universal and that the labor force can have the freedom to do all the productive jobs. Lakey also makes excellent examples by describing how foolish libertarianism has proven to be. If libertarians can start their own country that does not have any tax, they would not be able to sponsor their military and, therefore, they will be conquered by a country that has active military operations.
Today’s challenges
The author presents numerous challenges in the book. One of them is that Scandinavian countries have been victims of discrimination against minorities. The semi who are the nomadic people travel across the Scandinavian countries, and they have been discriminated against for a long time despite the successful policies that are supposed to make these countries free from discrimination. Anti-immigration sentiments have also been a challenge in the country, and dress him has grown through the time. Public pressure, which has been induced, also diversifies his opinions of different people. Many people believe that immigration and having diversity in the ethnic composition of the country can have a positive impact on the development of the nations (Lakey,22). The fight between the capitalist and the communist is there a challenge that even makes this policy is difficult to implement in other countries. There is no perfect faith developed by the author about the real parliamentary democracy. He, therefore, insists on waiting for a specific political party, which is sufficient enough to run the country. Historical battles and widespread protests have forced the governments to meet the demands for equality, and therefore the battles can still be fought up-to-date until the mass of the people is mad.
Consequently, he believes that the Scandinavian countries have not gone as far as they should go. Despite these challenges, the Scandinavian experience is approved that this process can be done even better in the United States, which can prove to be away for a successful and better future. The United States of Lewis dependent on capitalism and individualism, and such policies will seem to promote communism that many people have fought against today. This implements the Scandinavian procedures a challenge in the United States.
Works cited
Lakey, George. Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got it Right-and how We Can, Too. Melville House, 2016.