It's not Democratic Socialism but Social Democratic. The order of things makes it very different. Altho I will say that we were closing in on the former that you mentioned which is a purer form of socialism. Having said that, Sweden is a capitalist country really and that's why it's actually work so well all these years. I think that a lot of naive people describe Sweden as an utopia. It's certainly not. We do some things right and other things very bad. Much like Germany we have for instance a lot to learn from the US, such as family values and freedom of speech. Aswell as value traditions and our craft. What we don't need is the collectivism and high trust of government that basicly screw us every single election. Sweden does have to do something about the migrant situation aswell, we can not afford being a wealthfare state for the entire third world. We're not alone in trying this, the entire EU is doing the same thing except Poland I guess. But we're sure are ahead of the curve and the once very safe country isn't as safe anymore. There are safe areas left, I'm currently living in such a place, a quiet small town, but there aren't many of them left. Sweden used to be the best country in the world, still not an utopia but pretty damn good.
Don't even talk before you've lived in another country. I've lived in the Balkans, I've traveled a lot in Europe and Asia, and I know that we have it very very good here in Sweden. No it's not the same as it used to be in the 90s and 00s but we're still very lucky to be Swedish.
This utopia thing is very difficult. A country can be utopia for one person but hell for another person. in general, I don't think there is any country that is a utopia for everyone. So of course Sweden is not utopia, but still a good country to live in. God Jul till er alla
You are absolutely right! It's your own perception which decides how you think and feel about a country. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas! God jul! 🎄🌟🔔
As I see it the main two reasons that Sweden (and the other Nordic countries) have done so well are: 1) Best developed democracies in the world (closest to fulfilling the democratic principles and values) 2) A more collectivistic mindset rather than individualistic These two combined made our politicians define fairness/equity as aiming at giving each person the same prerequisites (regardless level of wealth) - hence universal healthcare, elder care, child care, universal access to school etc. The two reasons above also gave trust and status to the governmental services which in turn lead to high quality in services. Politicians focusing on keeping the country together, where it’s more important to lift people out of poverty rather than to let rich people become richer, as failed Reagan’s Trickle-down economics.
We do have the same problems with poverty, crime, addiction, corruption, inequality. But the welfare system makes it more equal as described, so that we don't have the big gaps of extreme poverty and wealth. This is always an ongoing struggle, to make sure the lower classes are keeping up and don't fall behind. While we're richer than in the 90s, inequality and segregation due to mass immigration is increasing. Violent crimes are getting out of hand with gangs fighting each other for control over drug trading and revenge killings. The general naivety and trust makes people blind to corruption, because that's something that only happens in third world countries.
Corruption is of different kind in Sweden though, while in may places you as a citizen may have to add a little something to an official to make things happen its not a thing in Sweden, however on a higher level there's a lot of back scratching going on to get contracts and so on
I am an American from New York and moved to Stockholm this year (on a permanent basis) and enjoy it a lot. Now I've been to Malmo, Skane, Luea, Umea, Ovik Ostersund etc and daresay more places than you had in Sweden and let tell you if you feel the negatives you have described are really that bad, I could see that you never lived abroad. I could tell when a Swede hasn't lived abroad from 10km away. I invite you come and live in America and believe me, you'll be screaming for Sweden within 24 hours. You have it good here; stop being so melodramatic. There's good and bad everywhere and when 85% of the bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Stureplan are owned by Arabs, well, then immigration can't be that bad. Just make sure to intergrate them properly.
@yahyahussein425 I know it good and much better than most places, that doesn't make it a utopia without its problems. Most Swedes probably would agree that things could be much better. Perhaps that just speaks to our high standards and expectations required for "utopian" conditions.
@@fikonfraktare So we agree after all. I think the danger lies when a country starts to adopt American style labour and economic practices (I work in finance) in a country like yours when it’s not suitable or known, and not only will this cause great inequality eventually, it will result in the eventual destruction of society with people turning upon each other. Now when I walk daily in Stockholm, I can’t tell superficially from people’s clothes if they come from a rich background or a humble one as Sweden, like Germany is a conformist society very different from Anglo Saxon societies and indeed the most Germanic in tone out of all the Scandinavian countries. Indeed, I could tell within 5 seconds in NYC what people are from how they dress. Being homogeneous certainly helps and having an educational system where equality is stressed, is a very good aspect for society.
Godmorgon! You look different today, but still amazing! I think it is the way you are wearing your hair? Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Sweden! Have a great week!
The only thing that bugged me was when she said democratic socialism. We’re not socialist. Then she said social democracy which I think is the correct term. Great video as always 😊
Taking a peek at the Inglehart-Welzel Cultural Map compiled by the World Values Survey explains a lot about the difference betwen Sweden (including the other Nordics) and other parts of the world.
Sweden’s vast size is part of its charm, but it also shows why it’s not a perfect utopia. Most of the 10.5 million people live in the south, around major cities like Stockholm, while 60% of the land-mainly in the north-is sparsely populated or uninhabited. This creates beautiful natural landscapes but also challenges like rural depopulation and limited infrastructure. Money plays a key role in shaping society, and there’s a clear "tier class" in Sweden. While inequalities exist, class variation ensures social order and the efficient division of labor. The quality of goods and services differs greatly depending on income, like the contrast between grocery stores in richer vs. poorer areas. Everyone has basic rights, but those higher on the social ladder enjoy a better quality of life, such as quicker access to healthcare. People often don’t understand how this system works unless they’re in it-though the "basics" help those in need, it's the wealth system that makes it all possible. Private Healthcare is a thing and it does allow you to cut the line. In Sweden, cabin ownership has a strong cultural aspect. Many families inherit cabins, typically around the age of 40 or older, depending on individual family circumstances. If parents or grandparents own a cabin, it’s usually passed down and divided among siblings, though this can vary based on whether the cabin is kept or sold. Additionally, due to Sweden's tax system, owning property like a cabin can place individuals in a higher tax bracket, but it can also be used strategically to lower taxes, as high levels of debt tied to such properties can reduce taxable income. Sweden provides a strong safety net for the poor and elderly, but financial security, family wealth, and regional disparities still heavily influence quality of life. Utopia is in the eye of the beholder!
I've lived 3 years in Germany and 3 years in London, and while I don't think Sweden is the Utopia, it's absolutely the best I know of. (Basically the whole of the Nordics I would rate this way)
Found the whole thing a little strange, I have just sold my house and looking for a house in Sweden. Nothing to note here for me and doesn't put me off in any way.
A lot has changed in the last 2-3 decades. What used to be state inztitutions is now privatized. Even education. In the health system more and more people choose to get private insurance to feel secure they will get a good care when needed. The gap between the very rich and the very poor has continuesly increased. The opportunities for entrepreneurs are great. There are more unicorn companies than in any other country in the world.
Some people need the chase for money to feel fulfilled and I can see why Sweden aint the perfect place for them even if you can achieve it here also but it might be easier in a country like the USA. But you better succeed in a country like the USA or it might turn into a nightmare if you cant afford to pay for the things we get for our tax money in Sweden. I want to live outside Sweden even if I lived here for almost al my life but its only because of one reason and its the cold and dark winters. I have lived in other countries and traveled alot and its hard to find a system that works better than the Nordic systems according to me.
I was born 1959 and I can tell you that Sweden used to be an even better place to grow up in during the 60:s and 70:s, than in the Sweden that I can see around me these days.
There is information that Sweden don't have so wealthy people measured in money. Not totaly correct. Per capita Sweden is in a very high position for really wealthy persons (Billioners). But it is correct that the mid-class people don't earn so much money.
There are positive things about Sweden no doubt about it...but there is no such thing as utopia. Maby you can have your own private utopia in Sweden or somewhere else. But nothing stays the same and nothing last forever. I am happy to live in Sweden....great nature for everone..(allemans rätten) Free education...free medicin...free health care...and many many moore things great for all in the country. Today we have moore rightwing a-holes in this country trying to destroy much of the good things we have. Thats to bad.
Hi Uli merry christmas to you all. if you listen to this women you can find a red traed, the swedich expression "Lagom" not to little not to much just enugh. in all she sais about diffrent things this word pops up at liest for me as old swed. Thank you for very good videos about life here. Mvh. KJ.
Such videos are deficient when they do not mention climate and weather. Many come to the Nordic countries, and are totally unprepared for what it means to live in a country with long, cold and dark winters. People who were born here are adapted to this life, but it must obviously be a big challenge for people who come from countries with a completely different climate.
Very generalizing of the Swedish woman's description of Sweden, I would say. In Sweden, many people can be considered rich, many people can be considered middle class, and nowadays also many people who live on state subsidies and who are thus relatively poor. The socialist GDR romanticizing image that in Sweden everyone is the same is a myth. This woman generally looks at Sweden with the glasses of a socialist, is my opinion. Many Swedes can be considered socialists, but at least as many are not socialists. Just the fact that she talks about schooling and healthcare etc. as if it were free shows that the view is that of a socialist. - Nothing is free, what is considered free is paid for through people's property, taxes and fees. Otherwise, I think that the image of the utopian Sweden is very much based on old merits from the underlying homogenous Sweden where everything was safe and secure, no one had to lock the door or the bicycle, the idyll was outside the door regardless of where you lived, no ghettos, low unemployment, no gang crime, roughly. That's not what Sweden really looks like today, although many Swedes want to believe that Sweden continues to be what it has always been, and will always be. And they don't really want to realize that societal development has in many ways gone in the wrong direction. They don't want to see it, and they never highlight it. Just the fact that in 2023 this country had the the world's second highest number of explosions and detonations - apart from countries at war. And the number of shootings and fatal shootings is at the top in Europe, multitudes of ghettoized areas , Sweden also has among the worst economic growth in the entire EU etc. So the correct picture of Sweden today is complex. There are still good things about Sweden, but society has been undergoing rather rapid and major change in recent decades, and continues to change. Many people like the big social changes, and they don't want to know about any negative consequences of them, while just as many others believe that the development has gone in the wrong direction. Sweden today, like many other countries in the West, is polarized.
Depends how you mean by Utopia, if people think about money we are far from it, some families can't even afford having the heat on, and my parents are retired, they worked their whole life and they can't spend money freely without being mindful, they can't go on spontaneous trips abroad, i think there is wide misconception that if you work your whole life you can then live how you please as retired, no that's not how it works. If you compare to the US if you worked your whole life you can go wherever you want easily because the salary is 3-4 times higher.
Hi Uli, Thanks for the video. Interestingly, I came across the Sweden is not utopia video two-three weeks ago. There is a lot of good about Sweden. But like you said, the cold weather, loneliness, and high suicidal rates can be challenging for many people. I think that young lady left Sweden because she didn't want to conform to uniformed dressing style, judgment perhaps even narrow mindset of people she experienced living in Stockholm. She feels much more free to express her individuality and her dressing style and can be fully herself in London without people judging or even paying much attention to her.
There are very few countries which are better for bottom 10% of population than Sweden. Norway is probably best and Denmark close second. This can be seen in studies of upward mobility meaning how children of poorest people do in life. Larger percentage of Swedes and Danes make from bottom 10% to top 10% than just about anywhere else. American dream might be dead in USA but it lives in Nordic countries. People complain about high tax rates but all in all having free education pays of for many people. Global Social Mobility Index has usual countries at top for a reason.
She is wrong in her video. She says Sweden has a Democratic Socialism system. Think about it. Socialism is when the community has the control of the production apparatus. Sweden is very much a capitalistic system. You can't have both. I have heard this before, it is absolutely wrong. Sweden is a country, where you very easily can have a private firm, so it is very capitalistic.
True, that's typical of ignorant people - there's huge differences between *democratic socialism* and *social democracy*. We have not seen much of democratic socialism in the world, maybe former Yugoslavia claimed they had it - a certain kinf of socialism for sure, but was it even partly democratic? No, I think it was a dictatorship. Far more countries have a claim to be striving for social democracy, but they also have problems with democracy, like in the USA where they have many systems that very much limit the will of the people, and instead give the last word to the rich, as there is no level playing field. Swedes in general might wish the country were striving to be a social democracy, but capitalism is not easily combined with democracy and that's a constant fight. For example I don't believe Swedish people would have sold Volvo to China if they would have had the last word. But there was no general vote about that issue, for sure.
@@DNA350ppm Now we are at it. The US and the UK can not call themselves a democracy anymore (2023). They are labeled as a “flawed democracy”. Too often they have had a government, elected by a minority. I guess we (the Nordics) now are leaders of the free democratic world. 🙂
Many people prefer faking being rich instead of accepting a middle-class life, which makes everything more challenging. Also sometimes people who want to move countries somewhat need to paint a darker picture of the place they are from to help them overcoming difficulties, I mean psychologically. There nothing wrong with that by the way it's just human nature.
Sweden has a lot to like, but the medal has a dark rear side... The welfare is built on very high taxes and foreign debt. And a few years ago Sweden could not loan more money to finance the wellfare. Then the (nice?) Social Democrat goverment stole so much money from the retirement fundinge, that made the average retirees get 3000-4000 SEK less in retirement pension. And that is the reason for many retirees living on the streets in Stockholm etc. Still retirees has to pay 30%+ in tax on their measly pensions. If the Social Democrats had a sliver of decency, they should give the retirees half tax, so they could survive. She mentioned that her upbringing in the 90's was wonderful. Well... Already in the mid 80's to 1990, when we lived in Sweden we would not dare to live in an area where the imigrants from middle east or north africa lived, due to the fact it would be dangerous for our at that time small caucasian children to live. Today it is quite dangerous to live in or near the warzones of crime in Stockholm, Malmö, Gothenburgh, Örebro etc. due to the insane imigration of people not interested to be integrated. She also "forgot" to mention the "Jantelov", which can be difficult to understand for a foreigner, even for me as a Norwegian where Janteloven also is visible at some smaller comunities, but not to the degree it is in Sweden. But as I started. There is a lot to like with Sweden. So if they had lower the incometax for retirees, I would love to move back to Sweden at any time. Coz the health care and elderly care in Sweden is still superior to what we have here in Norway. But with double tax it is unfortunately not worth it. Because I need to live, not only exist in my last years on the planet.
Im a 45 year old Swedish man and i for sure thougt about sallery when i shoose my career, i think thats a female thing to not think about that. Thats one of the reasons that females makes less money in general, of course there are exeptions. And maybee they have happier lives becouse of it? Money isnt everything after all.
Sweden wealth has been built by the entrepreneurial spirit of countless hard working people, not by the state or taxes. Yes, investments in education and welfare has helped, but do not come under delusions that this didn't take a lot of innovation, money, hardwork and other resources. Also both the video referenced and @LivingSwedish is 100% wrong about wealth inequality, Sweden has high taxes on income, not on wealth. We're actually the most unequal country in the world after the USA in this respect. In Sweden it's almost impossible to become rich by working for a company, but if you go into business for yourself it's easier than most other countries. This is what builds the real wealth of the country, the absolute opposite of socialism.
Okey I do think I understand heres thougts.. its not that much critizies Sweden/Nordics.. its more about trying ones oportunety in another country! One dont need to live the life of one parents! I do hate the word "democratic socialism".. its only apply to USA.. sweden/Nordics and many other countrys in europe are functional hard core capitalist/market driven countrys with a high degree wellfare institutions.. to make it even more competetive and rich! It would be saying that Adenour, Kohl and Merkel.. left wing politicians???? Drop the politics.. sweden is still a fully functional country, one of the richest and one of the happiest.. for our population! One still need to compete to get that education and/or the high salary! Wait till she get children.. mayby move back to sweden? So no, sweden isnt an utopia.. its a hard core capitalist, market driven country, export/import depedent.. find your place in our society, by your education and personal skills/ambitions! Its rather this.. if one get in to that cosy middle class living, it could be booring, take a notices, it was booring becuse of predcitibility.. you know what you put in to society and you know what you gonna get out of it!!!
Sweden is not in any way an utopia. I am a Swede, born and rised here. Living here has improved in recent decades and we have managed to stay away from recent years international decline. Still many things are badly run here. Now we have a problem with the oversized public sector, low and middle income ppl are not allowed to choose their services but have to consume the politically managed services. We also have a problem with like creativity and efficency bkz people are not interrested in improving their life situation by working harder. The topic is on a political agenda and has a connection to taxes.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Merry Christmas! 🎄🌟☃🦌🎁🛷❄🕯
It's not Democratic Socialism but Social Democratic. The order of things makes it very different.
Altho I will say that we were closing in on the former that you mentioned which is a purer form of socialism.
Having said that, Sweden is a capitalist country really and that's why it's actually work so well all these years.
I think that a lot of naive people describe Sweden as an utopia. It's certainly not. We do some things right and
other things very bad. Much like Germany we have for instance a lot to learn from the US, such as family values
and freedom of speech. Aswell as value traditions and our craft. What we don't need is the collectivism and
high trust of government that basicly screw us every single election.
Sweden does have to do something about the migrant situation aswell, we can not afford being
a wealthfare state for the entire third world. We're not alone in trying this, the entire EU is doing the same thing
except Poland I guess. But we're sure are ahead of the curve and the once very safe country isn't as safe anymore.
There are safe areas left, I'm currently living in such a place, a quiet small town, but there aren't many of them left.
Sweden used to be the best country in the world, still not an utopia but pretty damn good.
I´m swedish but if I wasn´t and was hesitant about moving here, her description would convince me to do it. God Jul!
Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas! 🎄🌟🎁
Don't even talk before you've lived in another country. I've lived in the Balkans, I've traveled a lot in Europe and Asia, and I know that we have it very very good here in Sweden. No it's not the same as it used to be in the 90s and 00s but we're still very lucky to be Swedish.
This utopia thing is very difficult. A country can be utopia for one person but hell for another person. in general, I don't think there is any country that is a utopia for everyone.
So of course Sweden is not utopia, but still a good country to live in.
God Jul till er alla
You are absolutely right! It's your own perception which decides how you think and feel about a country. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas! God jul! 🎄🌟🔔
Du är en helt underbar mäniska ❤
As I see it the main two reasons that Sweden (and the other Nordic countries) have done so well are:
1) Best developed democracies in the world (closest to fulfilling the democratic principles and values)
2) A more collectivistic mindset rather than individualistic
These two combined made our politicians define fairness/equity as aiming at giving each person the same prerequisites (regardless level of wealth) - hence universal healthcare, elder care, child care, universal access to school etc.
The two reasons above also gave trust and status to the governmental services which in turn lead to high quality in services.
Politicians focusing on keeping the country together, where it’s more important to lift people out of poverty rather than to let rich people become richer, as failed Reagan’s Trickle-down economics.
We do have the same problems with poverty, crime, addiction, corruption, inequality. But the welfare system makes it more equal as described, so that we don't have the big gaps of extreme poverty and wealth. This is always an ongoing struggle, to make sure the lower classes are keeping up and don't fall behind.
While we're richer than in the 90s, inequality and segregation due to mass immigration is increasing. Violent crimes are getting out of hand with gangs fighting each other for control over drug trading and revenge killings.
The general naivety and trust makes people blind to corruption, because that's something that only happens in third world countries.
Corruption is of different kind in Sweden though, while in may places you as a citizen may have to add a little something to an official to make things happen its not a thing in Sweden, however on a higher level there's a lot of back scratching going on to get contracts and so on
I am an American from New York and moved to Stockholm this year (on a permanent basis) and enjoy it a lot. Now I've been to Malmo, Skane, Luea, Umea, Ovik Ostersund etc and daresay more places than you had in Sweden and let tell you if you feel the negatives you have described are really that bad, I could see that you never lived abroad. I could tell when a Swede hasn't lived abroad from 10km away. I invite you come and live in America and believe me, you'll be screaming for Sweden within 24 hours. You have it good here; stop being so melodramatic. There's good and bad everywhere and when 85% of the bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Stureplan are owned by Arabs, well, then immigration can't be that bad. Just make sure to intergrate them properly.
@yahyahussein425 I know it good and much better than most places, that doesn't make it a utopia without its problems. Most Swedes probably would agree that things could be much better. Perhaps that just speaks to our high standards and expectations required for "utopian" conditions.
@@fikonfraktare So we agree after all. I think the danger lies when a country starts to adopt American style labour and economic practices (I work in finance) in a country like yours when it’s not suitable or known, and not only will this cause great inequality eventually, it will result in the eventual destruction of society with people turning upon each other. Now when I walk daily in Stockholm, I can’t tell superficially from people’s clothes if they come from a rich background or a humble one as Sweden, like Germany is a conformist society very different from Anglo Saxon societies and indeed the most Germanic in tone out of all the Scandinavian countries. Indeed, I could tell within 5 seconds in NYC what people are from how they dress.
Being homogeneous certainly helps and having an educational system where equality is stressed, is a very good aspect for society.
Godmorgon! You look different today, but still amazing! I think it is the way you are wearing your hair? Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Sweden! Have a great week!
The only thing that bugged me was when she said democratic socialism. We’re not socialist. Then she said social democracy which I think is the correct term. Great video as always 😊
Sweden is built on capitalistic socialism. Only right-wingers are crying over that fact.
Taking a peek at the Inglehart-Welzel Cultural Map compiled by the World Values Survey explains a lot about the difference betwen Sweden (including the other Nordics) and other parts of the world.
God Jul
Sweden’s vast size is part of its charm, but it also shows why it’s not a perfect utopia. Most of the 10.5 million people live in the south, around major cities like Stockholm, while 60% of the land-mainly in the north-is sparsely populated or uninhabited. This creates beautiful natural landscapes but also challenges like rural depopulation and limited infrastructure.
Money plays a key role in shaping society, and there’s a clear "tier class" in Sweden. While inequalities exist, class variation ensures social order and the efficient division of labor. The quality of goods and services differs greatly depending on income, like the contrast between grocery stores in richer vs. poorer areas. Everyone has basic rights, but those higher on the social ladder enjoy a better quality of life, such as quicker access to healthcare. People often don’t understand how this system works unless they’re in it-though the "basics" help those in need, it's the wealth system that makes it all possible. Private Healthcare is a thing and it does allow you to cut the line.
In Sweden, cabin ownership has a strong cultural aspect. Many families inherit cabins, typically around the age of 40 or older, depending on individual family circumstances. If parents or grandparents own a cabin, it’s usually passed down and divided among siblings, though this can vary based on whether the cabin is kept or sold. Additionally, due to Sweden's tax system, owning property like a cabin can place individuals in a higher tax bracket, but it can also be used strategically to lower taxes, as high levels of debt tied to such properties can reduce taxable income.
Sweden provides a strong safety net for the poor and elderly, but financial security, family wealth, and regional disparities still heavily influence quality of life. Utopia is in the eye of the beholder!
I've lived 3 years in Germany and 3 years in London, and while I don't think Sweden is the Utopia, it's absolutely the best I know of. (Basically the whole of the Nordics I would rate this way)
Oh, and the reason I moved abroad was for love and adventure.
Used to be better before 2000
Found the whole thing a little strange, I have just sold my house and looking for a house in Sweden. Nothing to note here for me and doesn't put me off in any way.
A lot has changed in the last 2-3 decades. What used to be state inztitutions is now privatized. Even education.
In the health system more and more people choose to get private insurance to feel secure they will get a good care when needed.
The gap between the very rich and the very poor has continuesly increased.
The opportunities for entrepreneurs are great. There are more unicorn companies than in any other country in the world.
Utopia? Paradise? No, ofc not - but it's pretty good concidering the options. Also depending where you are in life, children, job, sick.
Definitely would like the hear about entrepreneurship and newcomers. God Jul!
I will look into it a bit more because I'm in this area too :) Thanks for the feedback and Merry Christmas! 🎄🌟
Some people need the chase for money to feel fulfilled and I can see why Sweden aint the perfect place for them even if you can achieve it here also but it might be easier in a country like the USA. But you better succeed in a country like the USA or it might turn into a nightmare if you cant afford to pay for the things we get for our tax money in Sweden. I want to live outside Sweden even if I lived here for almost al my life but its only because of one reason and its the cold and dark winters. I have lived in other countries and traveled alot and its hard to find a system that works better than the Nordic systems according to me.
I was born 1959 and I can tell you that Sweden used to be an even better place to grow up in during the 60:s and 70:s, than in the Sweden that I can see around me these days.
There is information that Sweden don't have so wealthy people measured in money.
Not totaly correct. Per capita Sweden is in a very high position for really wealthy persons (Billioners). But it is correct that the mid-class people don't earn so much money.
There are positive things about Sweden no doubt about it...but there is no such thing as utopia. Maby you can have your own private utopia in Sweden or somewhere else. But nothing stays the same and nothing last forever. I am happy to live in Sweden....great nature for everone..(allemans rätten) Free education...free medicin...free health care...and many many moore things great for all in the country. Today we have moore rightwing a-holes in this country trying to destroy much of the good things we have. Thats to bad.
Hi Uli merry christmas to you all. if you listen to this women you can find a red traed, the swedich expression "Lagom" not to little not to much just enugh. in all she sais about diffrent things this word pops up at liest for me as old swed. Thank you for very good videos about life here. Mvh. KJ.
Such videos are deficient when they do not mention climate and weather. Many come to the Nordic countries, and are totally unprepared for what it means to live in a country with long, cold and dark winters. People who were born here are adapted to this life, but it must obviously be a big challenge for people who come from countries with a completely different climate.
Very generalizing of the Swedish woman's description of Sweden, I would say.
In Sweden, many people can be considered rich, many people can be considered middle class, and nowadays also many people who live on state subsidies and who are thus relatively poor. The socialist GDR romanticizing image that in Sweden everyone is the same is a myth.
This woman generally looks at Sweden with the glasses of a socialist, is my opinion. Many Swedes can be considered socialists, but at least as many are not socialists. Just the fact that she talks about schooling and healthcare etc. as if it were free shows that the view is that of a socialist. - Nothing is free, what is considered free is paid for through people's property, taxes and fees.
Otherwise, I think that the image of the utopian Sweden is very much based on old merits from the underlying homogenous Sweden where everything was safe and secure, no one had to lock the door or the bicycle, the idyll was outside the door regardless of where you lived, no ghettos, low unemployment, no gang crime, roughly.
That's not what Sweden really looks like today, although many Swedes want to believe that Sweden continues to be what it has always been, and will always be. And they don't really want to realize that societal development has in many ways gone in the wrong direction. They don't want to see it, and they never highlight it.
Just the fact that in 2023 this country had the the world's second highest number of explosions and detonations - apart from countries at war. And the number of shootings and fatal shootings is at the top in Europe, multitudes of ghettoized areas , Sweden also has among the worst economic growth in the entire EU etc.
So the correct picture of Sweden today is complex. There are still good things about Sweden, but society has been undergoing rather rapid and major change in recent decades, and continues to change.
Many people like the big social changes, and they don't want to know about any negative consequences of them, while just as many others believe that the development has gone in the wrong direction. Sweden today, like many other countries in the West, is polarized.
en del människor kan inte bli lyckliga oavsett var de befinner sig. Hennes tankar och ideer säger mer om henne än om Snerige.
Depends how you mean by Utopia, if people think about money we are far from it, some families can't even afford having the heat on, and my parents are retired, they worked their whole life and they can't spend money freely without being mindful, they can't go on spontaneous trips abroad, i think there is wide misconception that if you work your whole life you can then live how you please as retired, no that's not how it works. If you compare to the US if you worked your whole life you can go wherever you want easily because the salary is 3-4 times higher.
Hi Uli, Thanks for the video. Interestingly, I came across the Sweden is not utopia video two-three weeks ago. There is a lot of good about Sweden. But like you said, the cold weather, loneliness, and high suicidal rates can be challenging for many people. I think that young lady left Sweden because she didn't want to conform to uniformed dressing style, judgment perhaps even narrow mindset of people she experienced living in Stockholm. She feels much more free to express her individuality and her dressing style and can be fully herself in London without people judging or even paying much attention to her.
It depends.
For rich people: yes.
For poor people : no.
In a way it's the other way around. If you're poor, in which country would you want to live in?
There are very few countries which are better for bottom 10% of population than Sweden. Norway is probably best and Denmark close second. This can be seen in studies of upward mobility meaning how children of poorest people do in life. Larger percentage of Swedes and Danes make from bottom 10% to top 10% than just about anywhere else. American dream might be dead in USA but it lives in Nordic countries. People complain about high tax rates but all in all having free education pays of for many people. Global Social Mobility Index has usual countries at top for a reason.
She is wrong in her video. She says Sweden has a Democratic Socialism system. Think about it. Socialism is when the community has the control of the production apparatus. Sweden is very much a capitalistic system. You can't have both.
I have heard this before, it is absolutely wrong. Sweden is a country, where you very easily can have a private firm, so it is very capitalistic.
You mistake Democratic Socialism and Socialism
True, that's typical of ignorant people - there's huge differences between *democratic socialism* and *social democracy*. We have not seen much of democratic socialism in the world, maybe former Yugoslavia claimed they had it - a certain kinf of socialism for sure, but was it even partly democratic? No, I think it was a dictatorship. Far more countries have a claim to be striving for social democracy, but they also have problems with democracy, like in the USA where they have many systems that very much limit the will of the people, and instead give the last word to the rich, as there is no level playing field. Swedes in general might wish the country were striving to be a social democracy, but capitalism is not easily combined with democracy and that's a constant fight. For example I don't believe Swedish people would have sold Volvo to China if they would have had the last word. But there was no general vote about that issue, for sure.
@@DNA350ppm Now we are at it. The US and the UK can not call themselves a democracy anymore (2023). They are labeled as a “flawed democracy”. Too often they have had a government, elected by a minority.
I guess we (the Nordics) now are leaders of the free democratic world. 🙂
Many people prefer faking being rich instead of accepting a middle-class life, which makes everything more challenging. Also sometimes people who want to move countries somewhat need to paint a darker picture of the place they are from to help them overcoming difficulties, I mean psychologically. There nothing wrong with that by the way it's just human nature.
Sweden has a lot to like, but the medal has a dark rear side...
The welfare is built on very high taxes and foreign debt. And a few years ago Sweden could not loan more money to finance the wellfare. Then the (nice?) Social Democrat goverment stole so much money from the retirement fundinge, that made the average retirees get 3000-4000 SEK less in retirement pension. And that is the reason for many retirees living on the streets in Stockholm etc. Still retirees has to pay 30%+ in tax on their measly pensions. If the Social Democrats had a sliver of decency, they should give the retirees half tax, so they could survive.
She mentioned that her upbringing in the 90's was wonderful. Well... Already in the mid 80's to 1990, when we lived in Sweden we would not dare to live in an area where the imigrants from middle east or north africa lived, due to the fact it would be dangerous for our at that time small caucasian children to live. Today it is quite dangerous to live in or near the warzones of crime in Stockholm, Malmö, Gothenburgh, Örebro etc. due to the insane imigration of people not interested to be integrated.
She also "forgot" to mention the "Jantelov", which can be difficult to understand for a foreigner, even for me as a Norwegian where Janteloven also is visible at some smaller comunities, but not to the degree it is in Sweden.
But as I started. There is a lot to like with Sweden. So if they had lower the incometax for retirees, I would love to move back to Sweden at any time. Coz the health care and elderly care in Sweden is still superior to what we have here in Norway. But with double tax it is unfortunately not worth it. Because I need to live, not only exist in my last years on the planet.
Im a 45 year old Swedish man and i for sure thougt about sallery when i shoose my career, i think thats a female thing to not think about that. Thats one of the reasons that females makes less money in general, of course there are exeptions. And maybee they have happier lives becouse of it? Money isnt everything after all.
Sweden wealth has been built by the entrepreneurial spirit of countless hard working people, not by the state or taxes. Yes, investments in education and welfare has helped, but do not come under delusions that this didn't take a lot of innovation, money, hardwork and other resources. Also both the video referenced and @LivingSwedish is 100% wrong about wealth inequality, Sweden has high taxes on income, not on wealth. We're actually the most unequal country in the world after the USA in this respect. In Sweden it's almost impossible to become rich by working for a company, but if you go into business for yourself it's easier than most other countries. This is what builds the real wealth of the country, the absolute opposite of socialism.
Okey I do think I understand heres thougts.. its not that much critizies Sweden/Nordics.. its more about trying ones oportunety in another country! One dont need to live the life of one parents!
I do hate the word "democratic socialism".. its only apply to USA.. sweden/Nordics and many other countrys in europe are functional hard core capitalist/market driven countrys with a high degree wellfare institutions.. to make it even more competetive and rich!
It would be saying that Adenour, Kohl and Merkel.. left wing politicians????
Drop the politics.. sweden is still a fully functional country, one of the richest and one of the happiest.. for our population!
One still need to compete to get that education and/or the high salary! Wait till she get children.. mayby move back to sweden?
So no, sweden isnt an utopia.. its a hard core capitalist, market driven country, export/import depedent.. find your place in our society, by your education and personal skills/ambitions!
Its rather this.. if one get in to that cosy middle class living, it could be booring, take a notices, it was booring becuse of predcitibility.. you know what you put in to society and you know what you gonna get out of it!!!
Its an utopia if you want to pay crazy amount of tax 😂
Sweden is not in any way an utopia. I am a Swede, born and rised here.
Living here has improved in recent decades and we have managed to stay away from recent years international decline.
Still many things are badly run here. Now we have a problem with the oversized public sector, low and middle income ppl are not allowed to choose their services but have to consume the politically managed services. We also have a problem with like creativity and efficency bkz people are not interrested in improving their life situation by working harder.
The topic is on a political agenda and has a connection to taxes.