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Nordic Socialism: The Path Toward a Democratic Economy
In recent years, the Nordic countries have been the envy of the world for their economic success, institutional stability, and consistently high levels of social happiness. But are they socialist? Several prominent members of the American right think so. They may find a surprising ally in Pelle Dragsted, a member of the Danish parliament and the leader of the socialist political party Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance); contrary to most Nordic leaders, Dragsted not only accepts but embraces the charge of socialism.
In Dragsted’s analysis, Denmark and the rest of the Nordic countries are already socialist, but only in part. The dangers come (and here many conservative Americans will disagree) from the unhealthy encroachment of capitalism. His provocative argument is that capitalism and socialism are not in fact mutually exclusive, and already Nordic economies are hybrids, a mix of decommodified, democratically governed sectors and undemocratic, privately controlled enterprises. The relevant question is the degree to which one dominates the other. Currently, undemocratic forces are ascendant, but it need not be so. Dragsted offers both his diagnosis and his proposed solution, a comprehensive plan for a gradual (re)democratization of the economy and a move to fully and firmly embrace, and redefine, “Nordic socialism.”
In Dragsted’s analysis, Denmark and the rest of the Nordic countries are already socialist, but only in part. The dangers come (and here many conservative Americans will disagree) from the unhealthy encroachment of capitalism. His provocative argument is that capitalism and socialism are not in fact mutually exclusive, and already Nordic economies are hybrids, a mix of decommodified, democratically governed sectors and undemocratic, privately controlled enterprises. The relevant question is the degree to which one dominates the other. Currently, undemocratic forces are ascendant, but it need not be so. Dragsted offers both his diagnosis and his proposed solution, a comprehensive plan for a gradual (re)democratization of the economy and a move to fully and firmly embrace, and redefine, “Nordic socialism.”
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
252 pages, Hardcover
Published August 5, 2025
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August 29, 2025
Pragmatic answers for how we can start building a more socialist society TODAY, without waiting around for a revolution!
"As socialists our most pressing task is to provide an alternative for the many people across the globe who have justly lost faith in a system that does not serve their interests. We must show that change is possible. And if we fail in this the antidemocratic forces of authoritarianism will be ready to pounce. This is why it is incumbent on we socialists to move beyond our utopian visions and begin to develop a pragmatic and concrete socialist alternative."
Although this quote comes from the very last page of the book (as a rallying cry) the majority of this book is spent laying out a very clear and pragmatic strategy to incrementally make our society more democratic, less oligarchic and more socialist, less capitalist. This book seemed perfectly aimed at arming socialists with a solid platform and policy ideas to convince people like me (very anti-capitalist, but skeptical of the likelihood or desirability of a full economic revolution) to get behind and vote for (democratic-)socialist candidates.
I was very convinced by many of the ideas that Dragsted proposes and the arguments he put forth. There are a couple that I think are unfortunately not as well suited to the U.S. as Denmark, but ALL of them were ideas that I support to at least SOME degree. And that is kinda the point - we should move in the direction of MORE democratic and MORE socialist, even if maybe we don't all agree on exactly what the ideal end balance will be in our pluralistic economy.
This book is big picture and I hope every leftist candidate and political activist reads it and we end up making big, effective changes for our communities, but there are also ideas in here that you can take individual action on, however small. Since reading this, I've already got plans to move my savings from a large international bank to a local credit union that invests money back in the local community. I'm also looking at becoming a member of the closest food co-op about a 15 minute drive from my home. These are both simple (albeit very small) actions I can take to support the expansion of a more democratic society.
Most these ideas are probably very familiar to long-time socialists, but as someone who was more defined by hating capitalism than being pro anything, I want to thank Dragsted for educating me and giving me ideas and solutions to advocate and work for! And also thank you for visiting the U.S. (and Minnesota in particular); it's so amazing to learn from those from other countries firsthand!
"As socialists our most pressing task is to provide an alternative for the many people across the globe who have justly lost faith in a system that does not serve their interests. We must show that change is possible. And if we fail in this the antidemocratic forces of authoritarianism will be ready to pounce. This is why it is incumbent on we socialists to move beyond our utopian visions and begin to develop a pragmatic and concrete socialist alternative."
Although this quote comes from the very last page of the book (as a rallying cry) the majority of this book is spent laying out a very clear and pragmatic strategy to incrementally make our society more democratic, less oligarchic and more socialist, less capitalist. This book seemed perfectly aimed at arming socialists with a solid platform and policy ideas to convince people like me (very anti-capitalist, but skeptical of the likelihood or desirability of a full economic revolution) to get behind and vote for (democratic-)socialist candidates.
I was very convinced by many of the ideas that Dragsted proposes and the arguments he put forth. There are a couple that I think are unfortunately not as well suited to the U.S. as Denmark, but ALL of them were ideas that I support to at least SOME degree. And that is kinda the point - we should move in the direction of MORE democratic and MORE socialist, even if maybe we don't all agree on exactly what the ideal end balance will be in our pluralistic economy.
This book is big picture and I hope every leftist candidate and political activist reads it and we end up making big, effective changes for our communities, but there are also ideas in here that you can take individual action on, however small. Since reading this, I've already got plans to move my savings from a large international bank to a local credit union that invests money back in the local community. I'm also looking at becoming a member of the closest food co-op about a 15 minute drive from my home. These are both simple (albeit very small) actions I can take to support the expansion of a more democratic society.
Most these ideas are probably very familiar to long-time socialists, but as someone who was more defined by hating capitalism than being pro anything, I want to thank Dragsted for educating me and giving me ideas and solutions to advocate and work for! And also thank you for visiting the U.S. (and Minnesota in particular); it's so amazing to learn from those from other countries firsthand!
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