Sweden - Best Place To Live
Aug 11th 2004, 3:26 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sweden - Best Place To Live
http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?file=533539.html
Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
Jonathan Power IHT
Thursday, August 12, 2004
The good life
FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
was in the distant past.
But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be confused.
The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if you
factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the most
successful country in the world.
Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that Sweden
will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
Yet there is another side of Sweden. If one walks down a remote dirt track
on the island of Faro that leads to the shores of the Baltic, one comes to
the house of the filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, hidden both by forest and the
unwillingness of the local people to divulge its whereabouts. Bergman has
spent a lifetime chronicling the Swedish soul - its solitariness, its
obsessiveness and its melancholia - as have other Swedish artistic geniuses.
The same traits are in the poetry of Tomas Transtromer, the music of Wilhelm
Stenhammar, the paintings of Anders Zorn and the writings of August
Strindberg and Stig Dagerman.
Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not altogether
uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any other
country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been welcomed
generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
granted the right to free movement.
The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe; in their consensual
society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual freedom
and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business is
one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a serious
relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
means separation.
Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They have
one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would rather
take long vacations and work a short week than push up the national income
figures. Outsiders may say that Sweden, once the richest country in Europe
in terms of gross domestic product per head, is losing its way. But insiders
are content. The economy purrs along.
Swedes travel. They know the virtues - and temptations - of the outside
world. They all speak English, even the garbage collectors. But they are not
going to change quickly. The big news in a country with little news is that
even in our globalized world, you can be different. Indeed it may be that,
as Richard Florida observed, the world in the future may come to Sweden,
rather than, as long expected, the other way round.
Jonathan Power, a commentator on foreign affairs, lives part of the year in
Sweden."
</>
Copyright © 2004 The International Herald Tribune
Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
Jonathan Power IHT
Thursday, August 12, 2004
The good life
FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
was in the distant past.
But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be confused.
The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if you
factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the most
successful country in the world.
Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that Sweden
will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
Yet there is another side of Sweden. If one walks down a remote dirt track
on the island of Faro that leads to the shores of the Baltic, one comes to
the house of the filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, hidden both by forest and the
unwillingness of the local people to divulge its whereabouts. Bergman has
spent a lifetime chronicling the Swedish soul - its solitariness, its
obsessiveness and its melancholia - as have other Swedish artistic geniuses.
The same traits are in the poetry of Tomas Transtromer, the music of Wilhelm
Stenhammar, the paintings of Anders Zorn and the writings of August
Strindberg and Stig Dagerman.
Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not altogether
uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any other
country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been welcomed
generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
granted the right to free movement.
The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe; in their consensual
society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual freedom
and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business is
one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a serious
relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
means separation.
Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They have
one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would rather
take long vacations and work a short week than push up the national income
figures. Outsiders may say that Sweden, once the richest country in Europe
in terms of gross domestic product per head, is losing its way. But insiders
are content. The economy purrs along.
Swedes travel. They know the virtues - and temptations - of the outside
world. They all speak English, even the garbage collectors. But they are not
going to change quickly. The big news in a country with little news is that
even in our globalized world, you can be different. Indeed it may be that,
as Richard Florida observed, the world in the future may come to Sweden,
rather than, as long expected, the other way round.
Jonathan Power, a commentator on foreign affairs, lives part of the year in
Sweden."
</>
Copyright © 2004 The International Herald Tribune
Aug 11th 2004, 11:58 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected] thlink.net>...
> http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?file=533539.html
>
> Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
>
> Jonathan Power IHT
>
> Thursday, August 12, 2004
>
>
> The good life
>
> FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
> to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
> of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> was in the distant past.
May be Olof Palme was killed in the distant past, but doesn't Sweden
have the first place among northern European politician murders in
recent years?
> Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
> University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
> talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
> of the United States.
Tolerance? The Scandinavian soscial democratic culture is quite on the
countrary very intolerant. It is very suspicious in deed to not stay
in line - think and do as everybody else. Another - perhaps even
better - example is the Scandinavians asureness of living in the best
country, system and culture in the world. If you discuss a foreign
country, system or culture with a Swede (or Scandinatvian in general
for that matter) he is very likely to compare with how thing is at
home and good practices is very likely to be expressed "exactly as in
Sweden" while bad practices probably will be expessed "not as good as
home jet". This isn't ment to be arrogant though, just an expression
of how obvious the Scandinavian finds that he lives in the best
country, system and culture in the world. From this philosophy he is
very likely to be willing to help others achieving the the same
though, in a peaceful and solidary matter. The Scandinavia intolerance
differs from the continental and anglosaxian though, by that it isn't
of the violant calible one see on the continent though. One might call
Sweden (and Scandinavia) a Dalai Lama of intolerance;)
> Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
> keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
> least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
> their back on the euro.
The Scandinavian social democratic system, is a classical sosialism
from above model. What I find most surprising is relly that foreign
journalist doesn't find the suspicion against the Euro and the EU
obvious, not that the EU and the Euro are met with suspicion in
Scandinavia. The headline above all policies from the Socialdemocratic
/ Workers parties in the Scandinavian countris are to stay in power.
Every time a fraction of the Socialdemocratic parties in Scandinavia
have had any political pricipes of any kind above staying in power,
there have been a party split or a very strange construction made in
order to prevent a split.
> This is the European country that, along with
> France, loves itself the most.
I find this analyzis poor. A good analyzis of the Scandinavian
mantality will recognize its huge inferitory complex, the tendency to
celebrate lack of selfesteem as a proof of character. What the
journalist have found is the asureness of living in the best society
in the world that I coment above in the text. I don't find
Scandinavians French at all in this respect.
> It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
> to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
> support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted.
This is a sign of wealth and the most important instrument for the
political movement that created it to stay in power - build a strong
middle class that earns a lot if making the social democrats stay in
power and looses a lot if they don't.
> Immigrants have been welcomed
> generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
> of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
> granted the right to free movement.
Hats off to Sweden for that. I agree that solidarity and the
willingness to give money to people that are less privilaged than them
self is a typical Scandinavian value. It is not right to assume that
Sweden welcome imigrants generously. Though a little different than
Denmark and Norway on this point, I don't think this is true. I Norway
and Denmark the socalled progressparties, a populistic force created
on racicm&intolerance and to spend more public money on everything
that is popular, is on of the biggest parties when it comes to
representation in the parliament. Sweden does not have such a
political party, it seams like this huge dark force of the
Scandinavian societies are more dulged. Because it is definately there
in Sweden too. As a Norwegian I have been at a Danish immigration
office and according to the rules I am allowed to stay and work as
long as I want. I had go go through a pretty long humilitaion ritual
first though and a friend of mine who has tried the same in Sweden can
tell a similar story. It is more correct to say that Scaninavian are
generous to foreigners as long they stay in their homeland. They tend
to think that it is not their fault that somebody doesn't have one.
Øystein Thorsnæs, Oslo
> http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?file=533539.html
>
> Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
>
> Jonathan Power IHT
>
> Thursday, August 12, 2004
>
>
> The good life
>
> FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
> to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
> of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> was in the distant past.
May be Olof Palme was killed in the distant past, but doesn't Sweden
have the first place among northern European politician murders in
recent years?
> Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
> University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
> talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
> of the United States.
Tolerance? The Scandinavian soscial democratic culture is quite on the
countrary very intolerant. It is very suspicious in deed to not stay
in line - think and do as everybody else. Another - perhaps even
better - example is the Scandinavians asureness of living in the best
country, system and culture in the world. If you discuss a foreign
country, system or culture with a Swede (or Scandinatvian in general
for that matter) he is very likely to compare with how thing is at
home and good practices is very likely to be expressed "exactly as in
Sweden" while bad practices probably will be expessed "not as good as
home jet". This isn't ment to be arrogant though, just an expression
of how obvious the Scandinavian finds that he lives in the best
country, system and culture in the world. From this philosophy he is
very likely to be willing to help others achieving the the same
though, in a peaceful and solidary matter. The Scandinavia intolerance
differs from the continental and anglosaxian though, by that it isn't
of the violant calible one see on the continent though. One might call
Sweden (and Scandinavia) a Dalai Lama of intolerance;)
> Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
> keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
> least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
> their back on the euro.
The Scandinavian social democratic system, is a classical sosialism
from above model. What I find most surprising is relly that foreign
journalist doesn't find the suspicion against the Euro and the EU
obvious, not that the EU and the Euro are met with suspicion in
Scandinavia. The headline above all policies from the Socialdemocratic
/ Workers parties in the Scandinavian countris are to stay in power.
Every time a fraction of the Socialdemocratic parties in Scandinavia
have had any political pricipes of any kind above staying in power,
there have been a party split or a very strange construction made in
order to prevent a split.
> This is the European country that, along with
> France, loves itself the most.
I find this analyzis poor. A good analyzis of the Scandinavian
mantality will recognize its huge inferitory complex, the tendency to
celebrate lack of selfesteem as a proof of character. What the
journalist have found is the asureness of living in the best society
in the world that I coment above in the text. I don't find
Scandinavians French at all in this respect.
> It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
> to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
> support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted.
This is a sign of wealth and the most important instrument for the
political movement that created it to stay in power - build a strong
middle class that earns a lot if making the social democrats stay in
power and looses a lot if they don't.
> Immigrants have been welcomed
> generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
> of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
> granted the right to free movement.
Hats off to Sweden for that. I agree that solidarity and the
willingness to give money to people that are less privilaged than them
self is a typical Scandinavian value. It is not right to assume that
Sweden welcome imigrants generously. Though a little different than
Denmark and Norway on this point, I don't think this is true. I Norway
and Denmark the socalled progressparties, a populistic force created
on racicm&intolerance and to spend more public money on everything
that is popular, is on of the biggest parties when it comes to
representation in the parliament. Sweden does not have such a
political party, it seams like this huge dark force of the
Scandinavian societies are more dulged. Because it is definately there
in Sweden too. As a Norwegian I have been at a Danish immigration
office and according to the rules I am allowed to stay and work as
long as I want. I had go go through a pretty long humilitaion ritual
first though and a friend of mine who has tried the same in Sweden can
tell a similar story. It is more correct to say that Scaninavian are
generous to foreigners as long they stay in their homeland. They tend
to think that it is not their fault that somebody doesn't have one.
Øystein Thorsnæs, Oslo
Aug 12th 2004, 12:30 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 03:26:39 GMT, Gregory Morrow wrote:
> The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
> of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> was in the distant past.
Have they forgotten ABBA ?
Reporters are a fickle animal.
--
Tim C.
> The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
> of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> was in the distant past.
Have they forgotten ABBA ?
Reporters are a fickle animal.
--
Tim C.
Aug 12th 2004, 12:30 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
>Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
>Jonathan Power IHT
>Thursday, August 12, 2004
>The good life
>FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
>to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
>minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
>of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
>was in the distant past.
Yes, it is boring alright.
>But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be confused.
>The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if you
>factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
>infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the most
>successful country in the world.
Hardly. The rest of Scandinavia and Japan for starters is just as
good.
>Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
>University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
>talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
>of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that Sweden
>will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
Completely silly assertion, but he does have the right name. The
first place Swedes visiting the US head for being Florida.
>Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
>keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
>least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
>their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
>France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
>to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
>support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
>all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
>Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
>Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
Sweden cut off from the world? How silly can you be? It is as tuned
in as any other country. It embraces all kinds of outside culture.
Has this guy never heard of Halloween? When all kinds of Americans
(and Swedes for that matter who have adopted it) wander quietly around
in their medieval dress?
>The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not altogether
>uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any other
>country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
>Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
>railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been welcomed
>generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
>of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
>granted the right to free movement.
Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
year transition period.
>The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe; in their consensual
>society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
>The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
>courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
>immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual freedom
>and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
>divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
Hmmm. Makes you wonder if the two are not connected, doesn't it? If
this is so successful, why do they have the highest divorce rate?
Guess all this consensualism doesn't solve the problems, huh?
>If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
>heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
>extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business is
>one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
>Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a serious
>relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
>means separation.
Then, with all their probity, why do they accept teenage sex
unblinkingly? Or are they saying that teenage sex has no infidelity?
In which case, I say HAHAHAHA!
>Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They have
>one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
>taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would rather
>take long vacations and work a short week than push up the national income
>figures. Outsiders may say that Sweden, once the richest country in Europe
>in terms of gross domestic product per head, is losing its way. But insiders
>are content. The economy purrs along.
What the hell is the Anglo-Saxon road? Does this mean that England
has a radically different system than Sweden? In which case, I again
say HAHAHAHA! The economy is Sweden purrs along? Staggers is a
better word unless this guy is just comparing it to the rest of Europe
which, in general, staggers along even worse, in which case you might
say this. Other than that, more and more the population ages in
Sweden with fewer and fewer workers to pay for them in a low growth to
stagnant economy. Watch all those high taxes pay for less and less
every year.
>Swedes travel. They know the virtues - and temptations - of the outside
>world. They all speak English, even the garbage collectors. But they are not
>going to change quickly. The big news in a country with little news is that
>even in our globalized world, you can be different. Indeed it may be that,
>as Richard Florida observed, the world in the future may come to Sweden,
>rather than, as long expected, the other way round.
Complete and utter bullshit. All the evidence is the other way with a
long and continual decline which even the Swedes recognize. They can,
after all, count.
>Jonathan Power IHT
>Thursday, August 12, 2004
>The good life
>FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
>to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
>minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
>of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
>was in the distant past.
Yes, it is boring alright.
>But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be confused.
>The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if you
>factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
>infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the most
>successful country in the world.
Hardly. The rest of Scandinavia and Japan for starters is just as
good.
>Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
>University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
>talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
>of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that Sweden
>will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
Completely silly assertion, but he does have the right name. The
first place Swedes visiting the US head for being Florida.
>Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
>keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
>least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
>their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
>France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
>to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
>support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
>all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
>Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
>Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
Sweden cut off from the world? How silly can you be? It is as tuned
in as any other country. It embraces all kinds of outside culture.
Has this guy never heard of Halloween? When all kinds of Americans
(and Swedes for that matter who have adopted it) wander quietly around
in their medieval dress?
>The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not altogether
>uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any other
>country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
>Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
>railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been welcomed
>generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
>of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
>granted the right to free movement.
Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
year transition period.
>The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe; in their consensual
>society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
>The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
>courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
>immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual freedom
>and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
>divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
Hmmm. Makes you wonder if the two are not connected, doesn't it? If
this is so successful, why do they have the highest divorce rate?
Guess all this consensualism doesn't solve the problems, huh?
>If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
>heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
>extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business is
>one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
>Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a serious
>relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
>means separation.
Then, with all their probity, why do they accept teenage sex
unblinkingly? Or are they saying that teenage sex has no infidelity?
In which case, I say HAHAHAHA!
>Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They have
>one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
>taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would rather
>take long vacations and work a short week than push up the national income
>figures. Outsiders may say that Sweden, once the richest country in Europe
>in terms of gross domestic product per head, is losing its way. But insiders
>are content. The economy purrs along.
What the hell is the Anglo-Saxon road? Does this mean that England
has a radically different system than Sweden? In which case, I again
say HAHAHAHA! The economy is Sweden purrs along? Staggers is a
better word unless this guy is just comparing it to the rest of Europe
which, in general, staggers along even worse, in which case you might
say this. Other than that, more and more the population ages in
Sweden with fewer and fewer workers to pay for them in a low growth to
stagnant economy. Watch all those high taxes pay for less and less
every year.
>Swedes travel. They know the virtues - and temptations - of the outside
>world. They all speak English, even the garbage collectors. But they are not
>going to change quickly. The big news in a country with little news is that
>even in our globalized world, you can be different. Indeed it may be that,
>as Richard Florida observed, the world in the future may come to Sweden,
>rather than, as long expected, the other way round.
Complete and utter bullshit. All the evidence is the other way with a
long and continual decline which even the Swedes recognize. They can,
after all, count.
Aug 12th 2004, 12:35 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 08:30:17 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
> Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
>>of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
>>granted the right to free movement.
>
> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
> year transition period.
Something like that.
--
Tim C.
> Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
>>of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
>>granted the right to free movement.
>
> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
> year transition period.
Something like that.
--
Tim C.
Aug 12th 2004, 6:39 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
[email protected]> wrote:
> >Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
> >
> >Jonathan Power IHT
> >
> >Thursday, August 12, 2004
> >
> >
> >The good life
> >
> >FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little
news
> >to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> >minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the
eve
> >of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> >was in the distant past.
> Yes, it is boring alright.
Yep, I've never been but that's what folks I know who've been there say,
e.g. "It's like Minnesota - without the mirth"....
> >
> >But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be
confused.
> >The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if
you
> >factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
> >infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the
most
> >successful country in the world.
> Hardly. The rest of Scandinavia and Japan for starters is just as
> good.
> >
> >Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
> >University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to
business -
> >talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and
ahead
> >of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that
Sweden
> >will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
> Completely silly assertion, but he does have the right name. The
> first place Swedes visiting the US head for being Florida.
> >Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed
in
> >keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
> >least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters
turned
> >their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
> >France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is
wedded
> >to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed
to
> >support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
> >all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
> >Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
> >Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
> Sweden cut off from the world? How silly can you be? It is as tuned
> in as any other country. It embraces all kinds of outside culture.
> Has this guy never heard of Halloween? When all kinds of Americans
> (and Swedes for that matter who have adopted it) wander quietly around
> in their medieval dress?
Hell's Angels has a big club in Sweden....Sweden has a number of 50's
American car clubs.....
Did you know that during the postwar years Studebaker had an assembly plant
in Sweden (I am NOT making this up...)?
> >
> >The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not
altogether
> >uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any
other
> >country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
> >Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
> >railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been
welcomed
> >generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some
years
> >of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union
are
> >granted the right to free movement.
> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
> year transition period.
> >
> >The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe; in their consensual
> >society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
> >The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
> >courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
> >immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual
freedom
> >and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
> >divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
> Hmmm. Makes you wonder if the two are not connected, doesn't it? If
> this is so successful, why do they have the highest divorce rate?
> Guess all this consensualism doesn't solve the problems, huh?
> >
> >If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
> >heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
> >extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business
is
> >one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
> >Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a
serious
> >relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
> >means separation.
> Then, with all their probity, why do they accept teenage sex
> unblinkingly? Or are they saying that teenage sex has no infidelity?
> In which case, I say HAHAHAHA!
> >
> >Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They
have
> >one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
> >taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would
rather
> >take long vacations and work a short week than push up the national
income
> >figures. Outsiders may say that Sweden, once the richest country in
Europe
> >in terms of gross domestic product per head, is losing its way. But
insiders
> >are content. The economy purrs along.
> What the hell is the Anglo-Saxon road? Does this mean that England
> has a radically different system than Sweden? In which case, I again
> say HAHAHAHA! The economy is Sweden purrs along? Staggers is a
> better word unless this guy is just comparing it to the rest of Europe
> which, in general, staggers along even worse, in which case you might
> say this. Other than that, more and more the population ages in
> Sweden with fewer and fewer workers to pay for them in a low growth to
> stagnant economy. Watch all those high taxes pay for less and less
> every year.
> >
> >Swedes travel. They know the virtues - and temptations - of the outside
> >world. They all speak English, even the garbage collectors. But they are
not
> >going to change quickly. The big news in a country with little news is
that
> >even in our globalized world, you can be different. Indeed it may be
that,
> >as Richard Florida observed, the world in the future may come to Sweden,
> >rather than, as long expected, the other way round.
> Complete and utter bullshit. All the evidence is the other way with a
> long and continual decline which even the Swedes recognize. They can,
> after all, count.
Yup...it's true...Swedes like to "travel" - especially to places like
Tallinn and Prague and such where the booze is much, MUCH cheaper....
I posted this because it's one of those silly articles written by an
American "journalist" that is *so* easy to debunk....
--
Best
Greg
> >Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
> >
> >Jonathan Power IHT
> >
> >Thursday, August 12, 2004
> >
> >
> >The good life
> >
> >FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little
news
> >to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> >minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the
eve
> >of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> >was in the distant past.
> Yes, it is boring alright.
Yep, I've never been but that's what folks I know who've been there say,
e.g. "It's like Minnesota - without the mirth"....
> >
> >But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be
confused.
> >The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if
you
> >factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
> >infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the
most
> >successful country in the world.
> Hardly. The rest of Scandinavia and Japan for starters is just as
> good.
> >
> >Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
> >University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to
business -
> >talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and
ahead
> >of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that
Sweden
> >will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
> Completely silly assertion, but he does have the right name. The
> first place Swedes visiting the US head for being Florida.
> >Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed
in
> >keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world. Despite its successes, at
> >least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters
turned
> >their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
> >France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is
wedded
> >to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed
to
> >support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
> >all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
> >Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
> >Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
> Sweden cut off from the world? How silly can you be? It is as tuned
> in as any other country. It embraces all kinds of outside culture.
> Has this guy never heard of Halloween? When all kinds of Americans
> (and Swedes for that matter who have adopted it) wander quietly around
> in their medieval dress?
Hell's Angels has a big club in Sweden....Sweden has a number of 50's
American car clubs.....
Did you know that during the postwar years Studebaker had an assembly plant
in Sweden (I am NOT making this up...)?
> >
> >The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not
altogether
> >uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any
other
> >country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
> >Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
> >railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been
welcomed
> >generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some
years
> >of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union
are
> >granted the right to free movement.
> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
> year transition period.
> >
> >The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe; in their consensual
> >society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
> >The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
> >courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
> >immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual
freedom
> >and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
> >divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
> Hmmm. Makes you wonder if the two are not connected, doesn't it? If
> this is so successful, why do they have the highest divorce rate?
> Guess all this consensualism doesn't solve the problems, huh?
> >
> >If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
> >heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
> >extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business
is
> >one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
> >Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a
serious
> >relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
> >means separation.
> Then, with all their probity, why do they accept teenage sex
> unblinkingly? Or are they saying that teenage sex has no infidelity?
> In which case, I say HAHAHAHA!
> >
> >Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They
have
> >one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
> >taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would
rather
> >take long vacations and work a short week than push up the national
income
> >figures. Outsiders may say that Sweden, once the richest country in
Europe
> >in terms of gross domestic product per head, is losing its way. But
insiders
> >are content. The economy purrs along.
> What the hell is the Anglo-Saxon road? Does this mean that England
> has a radically different system than Sweden? In which case, I again
> say HAHAHAHA! The economy is Sweden purrs along? Staggers is a
> better word unless this guy is just comparing it to the rest of Europe
> which, in general, staggers along even worse, in which case you might
> say this. Other than that, more and more the population ages in
> Sweden with fewer and fewer workers to pay for them in a low growth to
> stagnant economy. Watch all those high taxes pay for less and less
> every year.
> >
> >Swedes travel. They know the virtues - and temptations - of the outside
> >world. They all speak English, even the garbage collectors. But they are
not
> >going to change quickly. The big news in a country with little news is
that
> >even in our globalized world, you can be different. Indeed it may be
that,
> >as Richard Florida observed, the world in the future may come to Sweden,
> >rather than, as long expected, the other way round.
> Complete and utter bullshit. All the evidence is the other way with a
> long and continual decline which even the Swedes recognize. They can,
> after all, count.
Yup...it's true...Swedes like to "travel" - especially to places like
Tallinn and Prague and such where the booze is much, MUCH cheaper....
I posted this because it's one of those silly articles written by an
American "journalist" that is *so* easy to debunk....
--
Best
Greg
Aug 12th 2004, 8:38 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
<[email protected]> schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
> year transition period.
Your friend is wrong.
From:
http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgin...N=1507666&-tt=
Austria and Germany: Transitional measures will be imposed not only as
regards the free movement of workers but also against the freedom to provide
services in selected (country-specific) sectors. The requirement for work
permit will remain in force also for those citizens of new Member States who
will seek to deliver services across the border and will want to bring their
own employees along. In Austria, only those employees who have been legally
employed in the country for more than 12 months (at the date of accession of
their country to the EU) will be eligible to move freely. In Germany, the
previously established bilateral employment quotas will remain in force for
at least two years. Austria and Germany are expected to apply the longest
possible 'transition period'. In the EU, labour costs are among the highest
in Austria and Germany.
Cyprus: The Mediterranean island is exempted from the restrictions on labour
mobility.
Malta: The citizens of Malta are free to work in any of the EU-15 countries.
Meanwhile, the island nation of 400,000 has the right to apply restrictions
('safeguard') on inbound labour migration for up to seven years.
The Netherlands: During the enlargement negotiation phase, the Dutch
government seemed to be inclined to refrain from imposing restrictions.
However, in early 2004 the government decided to tighten its entry policies.
The authorities have pledged to speed up work permit applications for
employees from eight new Member States (minus Cyprus and Malta, as their
citizens do not require a work permit). The fast-track procedure applies to
those sectors of the Dutch labour market where a shortage of workforce has
been identified. In these sectors the employers will not be obliged to
furnish proof that a Dutch or EEA citizen could not be found to fill the
vacancy. The Netherlands has also decided to consider tightening its entry
policies if over 22,000 workers per year arrived from the eight new Member
States.
Finland: Helsinki will continue to enforce 'transitional arrangements' for
at least two years. The rule of thumb will be that work permits will be
granted only if a Finnish national cannot be found to perform the given job.
Cyprus and Malta will be exempted from the restrictions, and so will
seasonal workers and students seeking to work part-time. Access to the
labour market for EU-8 citizens will not be restricted if they reside in
Finland for some purpose other than employment (ie entrepreneurs, family
members of employees and students). Neither will the transition period
legislation apply to those who have already lived and worked in Finland for
more than a year or to new EU citizens who would be entitled to work if they
were citizens of third countries. The 'transition arrangements' will not
affect the free movement of labour within the framework of the freedom to
provide services.
Denmark: For at least two years, 'transitional arrangements' will be
imposed. Only full-time workers will be entitled to a work permit, which
will also be conditional on the granting by the Danish Immigration Office of
an official residence permit. Citizens of Cyprus and Malta are subject to
the same rules that apply to other EU-15 citizens. The employees from the
EU-8 states will not have immediate access to the country's welfare schemes.
The restrictions apply to wage-earners only - all EU-10 citizens are free to
establish independent businesses in Denmark.
France: Paris intends to maintain 'transitional arrangements' for five years
(a minimum of two years) after enlargement. However, the procedures are
expected to be flexible depending on the sector or region concerned. The
restrictions apply to wage-earners only, while students, researchers,
self-employed persons and service providers are exempted.
Spain: Madrid will apply restrictions for a minimum of two years. Further
details of the restrictions are forthcoming.
Portugal: By and large, Portugal is expected to follow in the footsteps of
Spain. The Portuguese government has already set an annual limit of 6,500 on
immigrant workers from all nationalities.
Italy: Italy will impose an immigration quota of 20,000 per year from the
EU-8 (exceptions are Cyprus and Malta).
Sweden: The country will apply no restrictions on immigration from the EU-10
countries. The Swedish government expects to see around 10,000 job
applicants from Eastern Europe (the respective figure was 6,000 in 2002 and
again in 2003). Under standing regulations, several hours of paid work are
enough for an individual to be granted a work permit.
Czech Republic and Slovakia: Workers from the EU-25 states will face no
restrictions in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia.
Poland: Warsaw will apply reciprocal measures, under which Poland will only
allow Irish and British citizens to work freely in the country. The plan is
for Poland to oblige citizens of the other EU-15 states to obtain a work
permit (citizens of Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden can expect easier
terms, while people from Austria and Germany will face additional limits).
Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg: These Member States will apply restrictions for
a minimum of two years.
United Kingdom: The UK will not be imposing 'transitional arrangements'. At
the same time, the country will oblige immigrant workers to register with
the Home Office under a new "Workers Registration Scheme" and to obtain a
worker's registration certificate. Cyprus and Malta citizens are exempted.
No restrictions will be placed on self-employed as well as family members of
EU-8 nationals who already have the rights to work in the UK. However, EU-10
access to the UK's welfare benefits will remain limited.
Ireland: Ireland will open up its labour market to the citizens of the EU-10
states.
Hungary: Budapest will impose labour restrictions on a reciprocal basis over
the whole seven-year period. The measures will not apply to the citizens of
the EU-10 states.
news:[email protected]...
> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
> year transition period.
Your friend is wrong.
From:
http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgin...N=1507666&-tt=
Austria and Germany: Transitional measures will be imposed not only as
regards the free movement of workers but also against the freedom to provide
services in selected (country-specific) sectors. The requirement for work
permit will remain in force also for those citizens of new Member States who
will seek to deliver services across the border and will want to bring their
own employees along. In Austria, only those employees who have been legally
employed in the country for more than 12 months (at the date of accession of
their country to the EU) will be eligible to move freely. In Germany, the
previously established bilateral employment quotas will remain in force for
at least two years. Austria and Germany are expected to apply the longest
possible 'transition period'. In the EU, labour costs are among the highest
in Austria and Germany.
Cyprus: The Mediterranean island is exempted from the restrictions on labour
mobility.
Malta: The citizens of Malta are free to work in any of the EU-15 countries.
Meanwhile, the island nation of 400,000 has the right to apply restrictions
('safeguard') on inbound labour migration for up to seven years.
The Netherlands: During the enlargement negotiation phase, the Dutch
government seemed to be inclined to refrain from imposing restrictions.
However, in early 2004 the government decided to tighten its entry policies.
The authorities have pledged to speed up work permit applications for
employees from eight new Member States (minus Cyprus and Malta, as their
citizens do not require a work permit). The fast-track procedure applies to
those sectors of the Dutch labour market where a shortage of workforce has
been identified. In these sectors the employers will not be obliged to
furnish proof that a Dutch or EEA citizen could not be found to fill the
vacancy. The Netherlands has also decided to consider tightening its entry
policies if over 22,000 workers per year arrived from the eight new Member
States.
Finland: Helsinki will continue to enforce 'transitional arrangements' for
at least two years. The rule of thumb will be that work permits will be
granted only if a Finnish national cannot be found to perform the given job.
Cyprus and Malta will be exempted from the restrictions, and so will
seasonal workers and students seeking to work part-time. Access to the
labour market for EU-8 citizens will not be restricted if they reside in
Finland for some purpose other than employment (ie entrepreneurs, family
members of employees and students). Neither will the transition period
legislation apply to those who have already lived and worked in Finland for
more than a year or to new EU citizens who would be entitled to work if they
were citizens of third countries. The 'transition arrangements' will not
affect the free movement of labour within the framework of the freedom to
provide services.
Denmark: For at least two years, 'transitional arrangements' will be
imposed. Only full-time workers will be entitled to a work permit, which
will also be conditional on the granting by the Danish Immigration Office of
an official residence permit. Citizens of Cyprus and Malta are subject to
the same rules that apply to other EU-15 citizens. The employees from the
EU-8 states will not have immediate access to the country's welfare schemes.
The restrictions apply to wage-earners only - all EU-10 citizens are free to
establish independent businesses in Denmark.
France: Paris intends to maintain 'transitional arrangements' for five years
(a minimum of two years) after enlargement. However, the procedures are
expected to be flexible depending on the sector or region concerned. The
restrictions apply to wage-earners only, while students, researchers,
self-employed persons and service providers are exempted.
Spain: Madrid will apply restrictions for a minimum of two years. Further
details of the restrictions are forthcoming.
Portugal: By and large, Portugal is expected to follow in the footsteps of
Spain. The Portuguese government has already set an annual limit of 6,500 on
immigrant workers from all nationalities.
Italy: Italy will impose an immigration quota of 20,000 per year from the
EU-8 (exceptions are Cyprus and Malta).
Sweden: The country will apply no restrictions on immigration from the EU-10
countries. The Swedish government expects to see around 10,000 job
applicants from Eastern Europe (the respective figure was 6,000 in 2002 and
again in 2003). Under standing regulations, several hours of paid work are
enough for an individual to be granted a work permit.
Czech Republic and Slovakia: Workers from the EU-25 states will face no
restrictions in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia.
Poland: Warsaw will apply reciprocal measures, under which Poland will only
allow Irish and British citizens to work freely in the country. The plan is
for Poland to oblige citizens of the other EU-15 states to obtain a work
permit (citizens of Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden can expect easier
terms, while people from Austria and Germany will face additional limits).
Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg: These Member States will apply restrictions for
a minimum of two years.
United Kingdom: The UK will not be imposing 'transitional arrangements'. At
the same time, the country will oblige immigrant workers to register with
the Home Office under a new "Workers Registration Scheme" and to obtain a
worker's registration certificate. Cyprus and Malta citizens are exempted.
No restrictions will be placed on self-employed as well as family members of
EU-8 nationals who already have the rights to work in the UK. However, EU-10
access to the UK's welfare benefits will remain limited.
Ireland: Ireland will open up its labour market to the citizens of the EU-10
states.
Hungary: Budapest will impose labour restrictions on a reciprocal basis over
the whole seven-year period. The measures will not apply to the citizens of
the EU-10 states.
Aug 12th 2004, 2:51 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
It was too much to expect from a bunch of racist Europeans after all.
Really an European UNION isn't it?
On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 22:38:44 +0200, "Sjoerd"
<[email protected]> wrote:
><[email protected]> schreef in bericht
>news:[email protected].. .
>> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
>> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
>> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
>> year transition period.
>Your friend is wrong.
>From:
>http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgin...N=1507666&-tt=
>Austria and Germany: Transitional measures will be imposed not only as
>regards the free movement of workers but also against the freedom to provide
>services in selected (country-specific) sectors. The requirement for work
>permit will remain in force also for those citizens of new Member States who
>will seek to deliver services across the border and will want to bring their
>own employees along. In Austria, only those employees who have been legally
>employed in the country for more than 12 months (at the date of accession of
>their country to the EU) will be eligible to move freely. In Germany, the
>previously established bilateral employment quotas will remain in force for
>at least two years. Austria and Germany are expected to apply the longest
>possible 'transition period'. In the EU, labour costs are among the highest
>in Austria and Germany.
>Cyprus: The Mediterranean island is exempted from the restrictions on labour
>mobility.
>Malta: The citizens of Malta are free to work in any of the EU-15 countries.
>Meanwhile, the island nation of 400,000 has the right to apply restrictions
>('safeguard') on inbound labour migration for up to seven years.
>The Netherlands: During the enlargement negotiation phase, the Dutch
>government seemed to be inclined to refrain from imposing restrictions.
>However, in early 2004 the government decided to tighten its entry policies.
>The authorities have pledged to speed up work permit applications for
>employees from eight new Member States (minus Cyprus and Malta, as their
>citizens do not require a work permit). The fast-track procedure applies to
>those sectors of the Dutch labour market where a shortage of workforce has
>been identified. In these sectors the employers will not be obliged to
>furnish proof that a Dutch or EEA citizen could not be found to fill the
>vacancy. The Netherlands has also decided to consider tightening its entry
>policies if over 22,000 workers per year arrived from the eight new Member
>States.
>Finland: Helsinki will continue to enforce 'transitional arrangements' for
>at least two years. The rule of thumb will be that work permits will be
>granted only if a Finnish national cannot be found to perform the given job.
>Cyprus and Malta will be exempted from the restrictions, and so will
>seasonal workers and students seeking to work part-time. Access to the
>labour market for EU-8 citizens will not be restricted if they reside in
>Finland for some purpose other than employment (ie entrepreneurs, family
>members of employees and students). Neither will the transition period
>legislation apply to those who have already lived and worked in Finland for
>more than a year or to new EU citizens who would be entitled to work if they
>were citizens of third countries. The 'transition arrangements' will not
>affect the free movement of labour within the framework of the freedom to
>provide services.
>Denmark: For at least two years, 'transitional arrangements' will be
>imposed. Only full-time workers will be entitled to a work permit, which
>will also be conditional on the granting by the Danish Immigration Office of
>an official residence permit. Citizens of Cyprus and Malta are subject to
>the same rules that apply to other EU-15 citizens. The employees from the
>EU-8 states will not have immediate access to the country's welfare schemes.
>The restrictions apply to wage-earners only - all EU-10 citizens are free to
>establish independent businesses in Denmark.
>France: Paris intends to maintain 'transitional arrangements' for five years
>(a minimum of two years) after enlargement. However, the procedures are
>expected to be flexible depending on the sector or region concerned. The
>restrictions apply to wage-earners only, while students, researchers,
>self-employed persons and service providers are exempted.
>Spain: Madrid will apply restrictions for a minimum of two years. Further
>details of the restrictions are forthcoming.
>Portugal: By and large, Portugal is expected to follow in the footsteps of
>Spain. The Portuguese government has already set an annual limit of 6,500 on
>immigrant workers from all nationalities.
>Italy: Italy will impose an immigration quota of 20,000 per year from the
>EU-8 (exceptions are Cyprus and Malta).
>Sweden: The country will apply no restrictions on immigration from the EU-10
>countries. The Swedish government expects to see around 10,000 job
>applicants from Eastern Europe (the respective figure was 6,000 in 2002 and
>again in 2003). Under standing regulations, several hours of paid work are
>enough for an individual to be granted a work permit.
>Czech Republic and Slovakia: Workers from the EU-25 states will face no
>restrictions in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia.
>Poland: Warsaw will apply reciprocal measures, under which Poland will only
>allow Irish and British citizens to work freely in the country. The plan is
>for Poland to oblige citizens of the other EU-15 states to obtain a work
>permit (citizens of Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden can expect easier
>terms, while people from Austria and Germany will face additional limits).
>Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg: These Member States will apply restrictions for
>a minimum of two years.
>United Kingdom: The UK will not be imposing 'transitional arrangements'. At
>the same time, the country will oblige immigrant workers to register with
>the Home Office under a new "Workers Registration Scheme" and to obtain a
>worker's registration certificate. Cyprus and Malta citizens are exempted.
>No restrictions will be placed on self-employed as well as family members of
>EU-8 nationals who already have the rights to work in the UK. However, EU-10
>access to the UK's welfare benefits will remain limited.
>Ireland: Ireland will open up its labour market to the citizens of the EU-10
>states.
>Hungary: Budapest will impose labour restrictions on a reciprocal basis over
>the whole seven-year period. The measures will not apply to the citizens of
>the EU-10 states.
Really an European UNION isn't it?
On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 22:38:44 +0200, "Sjoerd"
<[email protected]> wrote:
><[email protected]> schreef in bericht
>news:[email protected].. .
>> Not according to a Danish friend of mine who is involved in the EU
>> Parliament. According to him, they have the right of free movement
>> right now except for Germany and Austria I believe where there is a 7
>> year transition period.
>Your friend is wrong.
>From:
>http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgin...N=1507666&-tt=
>Austria and Germany: Transitional measures will be imposed not only as
>regards the free movement of workers but also against the freedom to provide
>services in selected (country-specific) sectors. The requirement for work
>permit will remain in force also for those citizens of new Member States who
>will seek to deliver services across the border and will want to bring their
>own employees along. In Austria, only those employees who have been legally
>employed in the country for more than 12 months (at the date of accession of
>their country to the EU) will be eligible to move freely. In Germany, the
>previously established bilateral employment quotas will remain in force for
>at least two years. Austria and Germany are expected to apply the longest
>possible 'transition period'. In the EU, labour costs are among the highest
>in Austria and Germany.
>Cyprus: The Mediterranean island is exempted from the restrictions on labour
>mobility.
>Malta: The citizens of Malta are free to work in any of the EU-15 countries.
>Meanwhile, the island nation of 400,000 has the right to apply restrictions
>('safeguard') on inbound labour migration for up to seven years.
>The Netherlands: During the enlargement negotiation phase, the Dutch
>government seemed to be inclined to refrain from imposing restrictions.
>However, in early 2004 the government decided to tighten its entry policies.
>The authorities have pledged to speed up work permit applications for
>employees from eight new Member States (minus Cyprus and Malta, as their
>citizens do not require a work permit). The fast-track procedure applies to
>those sectors of the Dutch labour market where a shortage of workforce has
>been identified. In these sectors the employers will not be obliged to
>furnish proof that a Dutch or EEA citizen could not be found to fill the
>vacancy. The Netherlands has also decided to consider tightening its entry
>policies if over 22,000 workers per year arrived from the eight new Member
>States.
>Finland: Helsinki will continue to enforce 'transitional arrangements' for
>at least two years. The rule of thumb will be that work permits will be
>granted only if a Finnish national cannot be found to perform the given job.
>Cyprus and Malta will be exempted from the restrictions, and so will
>seasonal workers and students seeking to work part-time. Access to the
>labour market for EU-8 citizens will not be restricted if they reside in
>Finland for some purpose other than employment (ie entrepreneurs, family
>members of employees and students). Neither will the transition period
>legislation apply to those who have already lived and worked in Finland for
>more than a year or to new EU citizens who would be entitled to work if they
>were citizens of third countries. The 'transition arrangements' will not
>affect the free movement of labour within the framework of the freedom to
>provide services.
>Denmark: For at least two years, 'transitional arrangements' will be
>imposed. Only full-time workers will be entitled to a work permit, which
>will also be conditional on the granting by the Danish Immigration Office of
>an official residence permit. Citizens of Cyprus and Malta are subject to
>the same rules that apply to other EU-15 citizens. The employees from the
>EU-8 states will not have immediate access to the country's welfare schemes.
>The restrictions apply to wage-earners only - all EU-10 citizens are free to
>establish independent businesses in Denmark.
>France: Paris intends to maintain 'transitional arrangements' for five years
>(a minimum of two years) after enlargement. However, the procedures are
>expected to be flexible depending on the sector or region concerned. The
>restrictions apply to wage-earners only, while students, researchers,
>self-employed persons and service providers are exempted.
>Spain: Madrid will apply restrictions for a minimum of two years. Further
>details of the restrictions are forthcoming.
>Portugal: By and large, Portugal is expected to follow in the footsteps of
>Spain. The Portuguese government has already set an annual limit of 6,500 on
>immigrant workers from all nationalities.
>Italy: Italy will impose an immigration quota of 20,000 per year from the
>EU-8 (exceptions are Cyprus and Malta).
>Sweden: The country will apply no restrictions on immigration from the EU-10
>countries. The Swedish government expects to see around 10,000 job
>applicants from Eastern Europe (the respective figure was 6,000 in 2002 and
>again in 2003). Under standing regulations, several hours of paid work are
>enough for an individual to be granted a work permit.
>Czech Republic and Slovakia: Workers from the EU-25 states will face no
>restrictions in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia.
>Poland: Warsaw will apply reciprocal measures, under which Poland will only
>allow Irish and British citizens to work freely in the country. The plan is
>for Poland to oblige citizens of the other EU-15 states to obtain a work
>permit (citizens of Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden can expect easier
>terms, while people from Austria and Germany will face additional limits).
>Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg: These Member States will apply restrictions for
>a minimum of two years.
>United Kingdom: The UK will not be imposing 'transitional arrangements'. At
>the same time, the country will oblige immigrant workers to register with
>the Home Office under a new "Workers Registration Scheme" and to obtain a
>worker's registration certificate. Cyprus and Malta citizens are exempted.
>No restrictions will be placed on self-employed as well as family members of
>EU-8 nationals who already have the rights to work in the UK. However, EU-10
>access to the UK's welfare benefits will remain limited.
>Ireland: Ireland will open up its labour market to the citizens of the EU-10
>states.
>Hungary: Budapest will impose labour restrictions on a reciprocal basis over
>the whole seven-year period. The measures will not apply to the citizens of
>the EU-10 states.
Aug 12th 2004, 5:38 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
<[email protected]> schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
> It was too much to expect from a bunch of racist
> Europeans after all.
> Really an European UNION isn't it?
And when was the last time the United States of America was expanded with
new states with approximately 30% of GDP level per capita of the old states?
And does the USA allow all Mexicans to come and work in the USA without
getting a work permit?
By the way, the rules are quite relaxed in practice. For instance, the
number of Poles moving to the Netherlands to live and work has already
tripled since Poland joined the EU in May 2004.
Sjoerd
news:[email protected]...
> It was too much to expect from a bunch of racist
> Europeans after all.
> Really an European UNION isn't it?
And when was the last time the United States of America was expanded with
new states with approximately 30% of GDP level per capita of the old states?
And does the USA allow all Mexicans to come and work in the USA without
getting a work permit?
By the way, the rules are quite relaxed in practice. For instance, the
number of Poles moving to the Netherlands to live and work has already
tripled since Poland joined the EU in May 2004.
Sjoerd
Aug 12th 2004, 11:31 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 07:38:02 +0200, "Sjoerd"
<[email protected]> wrote:
><[email protected]> schreef in bericht
>news:[email protected].. .
>> It was too much to expect from a bunch of racist
>> Europeans after all.
>> Really an European UNION isn't it?
>And when was the last time the United States of America was expanded with
>new states with approximately 30% of GDP level per capita of the old states?
What has this got to do with anything? We have some fairly wide
disparities between wage levels between states and we don't stop
anyone from moving from one to another like this.
>And does the USA allow all Mexicans to come and work in the USA without
>getting a work permit?
This is probably beyond your capability to understand, but Mexico is
not part of the United States like these countries are supposed to be
part of the EU. And yet there is something like 11 million illegal
immigrants working here anyway.
> By the way, the rules are quite relaxed in practice. For instance, the
>number of Poles moving to the Netherlands to live and work has already
>tripled since Poland joined the EU in May 2004.
Tell that to the racist Europeans. Interesting coincidence that the
main leaders of this are Germany and Austria which also gave us Nazism
isn't it?
<[email protected]> wrote:
><[email protected]> schreef in bericht
>news:[email protected].. .
>> It was too much to expect from a bunch of racist
>> Europeans after all.
>> Really an European UNION isn't it?
>And when was the last time the United States of America was expanded with
>new states with approximately 30% of GDP level per capita of the old states?
What has this got to do with anything? We have some fairly wide
disparities between wage levels between states and we don't stop
anyone from moving from one to another like this.
>And does the USA allow all Mexicans to come and work in the USA without
>getting a work permit?
This is probably beyond your capability to understand, but Mexico is
not part of the United States like these countries are supposed to be
part of the EU. And yet there is something like 11 million illegal
immigrants working here anyway.
> By the way, the rules are quite relaxed in practice. For instance, the
>number of Poles moving to the Netherlands to live and work has already
>tripled since Poland joined the EU in May 2004.
Tell that to the racist Europeans. Interesting coincidence that the
main leaders of this are Germany and Austria which also gave us Nazism
isn't it?
Aug 15th 2004, 4:19 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected] thlink.net>...
> [email protected]> wrote:
> > Yes, it is boring alright.
>
>
> Yep, I've never been but that's what folks I know who've been there say,
Well, I *have* been there, for about 6 months, and found it anything
but boring. Apart from the usual cliches about the jaw-dropping beauty
of Swedish women (not as cute as Finns, IMO:-), I found the natives
very kind and friendly, and happy to share their knowledge of local
geography and culture. I was often invited into people's homes, even
to join in family celebrations. I was surprised to find that the food
was very good and very varied (e.g. a wide variety of cheeses) and the
scenery fantastically beautiful.
On the whole, if given the chance to move back there, I'd say "yes"
without a second thought.
One place I *have* found boring, that no-one agrees with me about, is
Norway. The scenery there is amazing, but I found the inhabitants
incredibly "reserved" - the only people that invited me to their homes
were Danes. However, maybe my sample over the course of 2 months
wasn't representative.
J;
> [email protected]> wrote:
> > Yes, it is boring alright.
>
>
> Yep, I've never been but that's what folks I know who've been there say,
Well, I *have* been there, for about 6 months, and found it anything
but boring. Apart from the usual cliches about the jaw-dropping beauty
of Swedish women (not as cute as Finns, IMO:-), I found the natives
very kind and friendly, and happy to share their knowledge of local
geography and culture. I was often invited into people's homes, even
to join in family celebrations. I was surprised to find that the food
was very good and very varied (e.g. a wide variety of cheeses) and the
scenery fantastically beautiful.
On the whole, if given the chance to move back there, I'd say "yes"
without a second thought.
One place I *have* found boring, that no-one agrees with me about, is
Norway. The scenery there is amazing, but I found the inhabitants
incredibly "reserved" - the only people that invited me to their homes
were Danes. However, maybe my sample over the course of 2 months
wasn't representative.
J;
Aug 15th 2004, 6:36 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
On 15 Aug 2004 09:19:33 -0700, in rec.travel.europe, [email protected] (Jeremy)
arranged some electrons, so they looked like this :
... Well, I *have* been there, for about 6 months, and found it anything
... but boring. Apart from the usual cliches about the jaw-dropping beauty
... of Swedish women (not as cute as Finns, IMO:-), I found the natives
... very kind and friendly, and happy to share their knowledge of local
... geography and culture. I was often invited into people's homes, even
... to join in family celebrations. I was surprised to find that the food
... was very good and very varied (e.g. a wide variety of cheeses) and the
... scenery fantastically beautiful.
...
... On the whole, if given the chance to move back there, I'd say "yes"
... without a second thought.
...
... One place I *have* found boring, that no-one agrees with me about, is
... Norway. The scenery there is amazing, but I found the inhabitants
... incredibly "reserved" - the only people that invited me to their homes
... were Danes. However, maybe my sample over the course of 2 months
... wasn't representative.
I worked with a Dane for a year. She used to say that the Norwegian were incredibly
boring. I don't know, I've never met one.
arranged some electrons, so they looked like this :
... Well, I *have* been there, for about 6 months, and found it anything
... but boring. Apart from the usual cliches about the jaw-dropping beauty
... of Swedish women (not as cute as Finns, IMO:-), I found the natives
... very kind and friendly, and happy to share their knowledge of local
... geography and culture. I was often invited into people's homes, even
... to join in family celebrations. I was surprised to find that the food
... was very good and very varied (e.g. a wide variety of cheeses) and the
... scenery fantastically beautiful.
...
... On the whole, if given the chance to move back there, I'd say "yes"
... without a second thought.
...
... One place I *have* found boring, that no-one agrees with me about, is
... Norway. The scenery there is amazing, but I found the inhabitants
... incredibly "reserved" - the only people that invited me to their homes
... were Danes. However, maybe my sample over the course of 2 months
... wasn't representative.
I worked with a Dane for a year. She used to say that the Norwegian were incredibly
boring. I don't know, I've never met one.
Aug 16th 2004, 12:24 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
[email protected] wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
> On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 07:38:02 +0200, "Sjoerd"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> ><[email protected]> schreef in bericht
> >news:[email protected].. .
> >> It was too much to expect from a bunch of racist
> >> Europeans after all.
> >> Really an European UNION isn't it?
> >
> >And when was the last time the United States of America was expanded with
> >new states with approximately 30% of GDP level per capita of the old states?
>
> What has this got to do with anything? We have some fairly wide
> disparities between wage levels between states and we don't stop
> anyone from moving from one to another like this.
>
> >And does the USA allow all Mexicans to come and work in the USA without
> >getting a work permit?
>
> This is probably beyond your capability to understand, but Mexico is
> not part of the United States like these countries are supposed to be
> part of the EU. And yet there is something like 11 million illegal
> immigrants working here anyway.
EU more like NAFTA than USA. As far as I know Mexico is part of Nafta.
Jan
> On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 07:38:02 +0200, "Sjoerd"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> ><[email protected]> schreef in bericht
> >news:[email protected].. .
> >> It was too much to expect from a bunch of racist
> >> Europeans after all.
> >> Really an European UNION isn't it?
> >
> >And when was the last time the United States of America was expanded with
> >new states with approximately 30% of GDP level per capita of the old states?
>
> What has this got to do with anything? We have some fairly wide
> disparities between wage levels between states and we don't stop
> anyone from moving from one to another like this.
>
> >And does the USA allow all Mexicans to come and work in the USA without
> >getting a work permit?
>
> This is probably beyond your capability to understand, but Mexico is
> not part of the United States like these countries are supposed to be
> part of the EU. And yet there is something like 11 million illegal
> immigrants working here anyway.
EU more like NAFTA than USA. As far as I know Mexico is part of Nafta.
Jan
Aug 16th 2004, 7:07 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
[email protected] (?ystein) wrote in message news:<[email protected]. com>...
> "Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected] thlink.net>...
[snip]
> > This is the European country that, along with
> > France, loves itself the most.
>
> I find this analyzis poor. A good analyzis of the Scandinavian
> mantality will recognize its huge inferitory complex, the tendency to
> celebrate lack of selfesteem as a proof of character. What the
> journalist have found is the asureness of living in the best society
> in the world that I coment above in the text. I don't find
> Scandinavians French at all in this respect.
Well, Swedes are a bit like the French, but different. Just like the
French (and American, and so on), nearly all Swedes firmly believe
that Sweden is the best society on the planet, but at the same time
they firmly beleive that it is somehow impolite, rude, or offensive to
say so. So, just like the French, Swedes beleive that they're better
than everyone else, but unlike the French they try to avoid saying so
openly.
Bjorn
> "Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected] thlink.net>...
[snip]
> > This is the European country that, along with
> > France, loves itself the most.
>
> I find this analyzis poor. A good analyzis of the Scandinavian
> mantality will recognize its huge inferitory complex, the tendency to
> celebrate lack of selfesteem as a proof of character. What the
> journalist have found is the asureness of living in the best society
> in the world that I coment above in the text. I don't find
> Scandinavians French at all in this respect.
Well, Swedes are a bit like the French, but different. Just like the
French (and American, and so on), nearly all Swedes firmly believe
that Sweden is the best society on the planet, but at the same time
they firmly beleive that it is somehow impolite, rude, or offensive to
say so. So, just like the French, Swedes beleive that they're better
than everyone else, but unlike the French they try to avoid saying so
openly.
Bjorn
Aug 16th 2004, 7:31 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sweden - Best Place To Live
"Gregory Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected] thlink.net>...
> http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?file=533539.html
>
> Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
>
> Jonathan Power IHT
>
> Thursday, August 12, 2004
>
>
> The good life
>
> FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
> to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
> of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> was in the distant past.
>
> But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be confused.
> The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if you
> factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
> infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the most
> successful country in the world.
>
> Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
> University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
> talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
> of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that Sweden
> will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
>
> Yet there is another side of Sweden. If one walks down a remote dirt track
> on the island of Faro that leads to the shores of the Baltic, one comes to
> the house of the filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, hidden both by forest and the
> unwillingness of the local people to divulge its whereabouts. Bergman has
> spent a lifetime chronicling the Swedish soul - its solitariness, its
> obsessiveness and its melancholia
Yes, but hardly anyone watches Bergman movies in Sweden. He is of
course well-known, but mainly as "that director guy who is so famous
overseas and always come across as so weird in interviews and swears
all the time and who made some depressing old black-and-white films in
the 1960's or something".
> - as have other Swedish artistic geniuses.
> The same traits are in the poetry of Tomas Transtromer, the music of Wilhelm
> Stenhammar, the paintings of Anders Zorn and the writings of August
> Strindberg and Stig Dagerman.
>
> Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
> keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world.
Uh? How is Sweden more "cut off" than the US, or any other western
country?
> Despite its successes, at
> least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
> their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
> France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
> to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
> support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
> all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
> Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
> Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
Yeah, right, with a vivid enough imagination I'm sure you can see
anything you want "reflected" in the "medieval week" (which
approximately 0.1% of swedes have attended).
> The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not altogether
> uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any other
> country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
"Despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist". I
suggest spending some time contemplating that oxymoronic sentence..
> Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
> railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been welcomed
> generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
> of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
> granted the right to free movement.
Well, a set of transition rules were suggested by the social democrat
party, but was voted down in parliament.
> The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe;
Ok, that makes sens. Japan felt distinctly familiar to me.
> in their consensual
> society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
> The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
> courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
> immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual freedom
> and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
> divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
>
> If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
> heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
> extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business is
> one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
> Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a serious
> relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
> means separation.
>
> Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They have
> one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
> taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would rather
> take long vacations and work a short week
40 hours. It's a longer week than worked Germany, France, and a few
other countries, and the same as in most comparable countries.
Bjorn
> http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?file=533539.html
>
> Sweden's success story has lessons for the world
>
> Jonathan Power IHT
>
> Thursday, August 12, 2004
>
>
> The good life
>
> FARO, Sweden "If all the world were like Sweden, there would be little news
> to report. The last time Sweden hit the front page was when its foreign
> minister, Anna Lindh, was knifed to death by a madman last year on the eve
> of a referendum on Swedish entry into the euro zone. The time before that
> was in the distant past.
>
> But news and truth, as Walter Lippmann observed, should never be confused.
> The truth is, as a recent report by the United Nations showed, that if you
> factor in not just national income, but the longevity of its people, low
> infant mortality and high levels of education, Sweden is probably the most
> successful country in the world.
>
> Moreover, a new study by Professor Richard Florida, of Carnegie Mellon
> University, which measures the kind of creativity most useful to business -
> talent, technology and tolerance - puts Sweden at No. 1 in Europe and ahead
> of the United States. In the future, Florida argues, this means that Sweden
> will become a "talent magnet" for the world's most purposeful workers.
>
> Yet there is another side of Sweden. If one walks down a remote dirt track
> on the island of Faro that leads to the shores of the Baltic, one comes to
> the house of the filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, hidden both by forest and the
> unwillingness of the local people to divulge its whereabouts. Bergman has
> spent a lifetime chronicling the Swedish soul - its solitariness, its
> obsessiveness and its melancholia
Yes, but hardly anyone watches Bergman movies in Sweden. He is of
course well-known, but mainly as "that director guy who is so famous
overseas and always come across as so weird in interviews and swears
all the time and who made some depressing old black-and-white films in
the 1960's or something".
> - as have other Swedish artistic geniuses.
> The same traits are in the poetry of Tomas Transtromer, the music of Wilhelm
> Stenhammar, the paintings of Anders Zorn and the writings of August
> Strindberg and Stig Dagerman.
>
> Maybe it is this - and the long, dark, gray winters - that will succeed in
> keeping Sweden partly cut off from the world.
Uh? How is Sweden more "cut off" than the US, or any other western
country?
> Despite its successes, at
> least half its population prefers to be a step apart. Swedish voters turned
> their back on the euro. This is the European country that, along with
> France, loves itself the most. It is comfortable in its old ways, is wedded
> to its cradle-to-the-grave welfare state - despite the high taxes needed to
> support it - and lives a life that is distinctly introverted. You can see
> all this reflected in Medieval Week, held in the walled city of Visby on
> Faro's neighboring island of Gotland, when visitors come from all over
> Sweden just to walk quietly around in medieval dress.
Yeah, right, with a vivid enough imagination I'm sure you can see
anything you want "reflected" in the "medieval week" (which
approximately 0.1% of swedes have attended).
> The real truth is that the two sides of Sweden coexist, and not altogether
> uneasily. Sweden has more multinational corporations per head than any other
> country and, despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist.
"Despite its socialism, state-owned enterprises barely exist". I
suggest spending some time contemplating that oxymoronic sentence..
> Sweden has pioneered private competition in a range of endeavors from
> railways to hospital management and schools. Immigrants have been welcomed
> generously. Sweden is the only country in Europe not to insist on some years
> of transition before the workers of the new eastern members of the Union are
> granted the right to free movement.
Well, a set of transition rules were suggested by the social democrat
party, but was voted down in parliament.
> The Swedes have been called the Japanese of Europe;
Ok, that makes sens. Japan felt distinctly familiar to me.
> in their consensual
> society, disputes are talked out even if its takes hours, days or months.
> The idea of the adversarial debate, whether in Parliament or in the
> courtroom, is regarded as uncivilized. Yet at the same time Swedes are
> immensely individualistic. This is the country that pioneered sexual freedom
> and women's emancipation. Late teenage sex is accepted unblinkingly. The
> divorce rate is the highest in the Western world.
>
> If you want to understand Sweden you have to understand its Lutheran
> heritage. While Church attendance, except at Easter and Christmas, is
> extraordinarily low, probity is in the Swedish soul. Honesty in business is
> one reason why Swedish companies shine abroad. A handshake seals a deal.
> Rarely is an idea oversold. Bills are paid on time. If you are in a serious
> relationship, infidelity is not acceptable. If it happens then it usually
> means separation.
>
> Swedes have consciously chosen not to take the Anglo-Saxon road. They have
> one of the lowest take-home pay envelopes in the Western world; the state
> taxes away almost half of their income. As for the rest, Swedes would rather
> take long vacations and work a short week
40 hours. It's a longer week than worked Germany, France, and a few
other countries, and the same as in most comparable countries.
Bjorn
