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Scandinavian Unexceptionalism: Culture, Markets and the Failure of Third-Way Socialism
This book is important to help an international audience understand the cultural peculiarities behind the Scandinavian “success story”. It is also vital that Scandinavians themselves read this book to help them understand the market reforms that are essential for a successful future.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 28, 2016
Excellent look at how the Scandinavian countries actually work, rather than the myth of the "Third Way." Destroys a lot of conventional wisdom about why these countries are successful and how the welfare state really works.
December 31, 2020
Resulta paradójico que sean dos inmigrantes, Mauricio Rojas y Nima Sanandaji, quienes han descubierto lo que significa el famoso "mito escandinavo" que tanto ha empoderado a las izquierdas. Ambos han descubierto que el problema no es tanto el supuesto éxito del socialismo o del estado benefactor, sino los factores culturales que hicieron a Escandinavia el espacio tan vibrante que es hoy en día. Harían bien muchos en leerlos.
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November 21, 2018Entretenido ensayo, que trata de demostrar cómo el (aparentemente) exitoso modelo escandinavo, no lo es tal. Apoyándose en que este crecimiento fue hace 50 años, y en los últimos 20 solo ha habido un notorio estancamiento, intentan derribar los mitos que se tienen respecto a ellos.
Algunos factores que avalan el “no-éxito” de estos países son la alta cohesión social, el profesionalismo y probidad del estado, el gran capital humano basado en el alto nivel educacional, y en menor grado sus peculiares condiciones geográficas y demográficas. A mi parecer tratar de ver el error donde no existe con frases como: “Podrían ser aún más prósperos”, “Eventualmente llenarían aún más sus arcas fiscales”, “Las familias se han estancado su capacidad de comprar más y mejores cosas” o “Cambios modestos pese al bienestar petrolero (Noruega)”, ese constante hablar de “A PESAR” del Estado, en vez de gracias a él y todo lo que han sido capaces de lograr, creo que es un mal enfoque. Creo que este enfoque es propio de los economistas: no pueden vivir sin el capitalismo salvaje. Con todas esas críticas, siguen siendo países que en los últimos 40 años no se han movido de los 10 o 15 primeros puestos de estabilidad económica y calidad de vida. ¿Qué más quieren? Pa´este tipo de weones capitalistas tener un solo auto y una sola casa NO está bien. Hay que tener 3 casas y 5 autos, eso es señal de desarrollo. Pero vivir bien y tranquilo, NO, de ninguna forma. Finalmente, y en lo que si concuerdo, es que este tipo de modelo económico o “tercera vía” (punto medio entre el capitalismo y el comunismo) solo es posible –con éxito- en escandinavia.
Así y todo es un libro más que interesante
Algunos factores que avalan el “no-éxito” de estos países son la alta cohesión social, el profesionalismo y probidad del estado, el gran capital humano basado en el alto nivel educacional, y en menor grado sus peculiares condiciones geográficas y demográficas. A mi parecer tratar de ver el error donde no existe con frases como: “Podrían ser aún más prósperos”, “Eventualmente llenarían aún más sus arcas fiscales”, “Las familias se han estancado su capacidad de comprar más y mejores cosas” o “Cambios modestos pese al bienestar petrolero (Noruega)”, ese constante hablar de “A PESAR” del Estado, en vez de gracias a él y todo lo que han sido capaces de lograr, creo que es un mal enfoque. Creo que este enfoque es propio de los economistas: no pueden vivir sin el capitalismo salvaje. Con todas esas críticas, siguen siendo países que en los últimos 40 años no se han movido de los 10 o 15 primeros puestos de estabilidad económica y calidad de vida. ¿Qué más quieren? Pa´este tipo de weones capitalistas tener un solo auto y una sola casa NO está bien. Hay que tener 3 casas y 5 autos, eso es señal de desarrollo. Pero vivir bien y tranquilo, NO, de ninguna forma. Finalmente, y en lo que si concuerdo, es que este tipo de modelo económico o “tercera vía” (punto medio entre el capitalismo y el comunismo) solo es posible –con éxito- en escandinavia.
Así y todo es un libro más que interesante
January 4, 2020
İskandinav ülkelerinin refah devletleri olarak görülmesinin ardını ve sosyalizm esaslı politikaların 1960-70'li yıllarda söz konusu devletlere ekonomik başarı anlamında ne denli zararlar verdiğini anlatıyor kitap. Bu anlatımı çoğunlukla grafik ve sayılar eşliğinde anlattığı için bir yerden sonra sanki bir matematik ders kitabı okuyormuşsunuz izlenimi ediniyorsunuz.
Kendi başına okunabilecek bir kitaptan daha çok konuyla alakalı referans, kaynak olarak gösterebileceğiniz bir kitap olmuş. Ayrıca "serbest piyasa" ve "refah devleti" kavramlarını bilmiyorsanız kitap bunlar hakkında hiçbir açıklama yapmadığından biraz bahsi geçen tanımları araştırmanız gerekebiliyor, bunlar kitabın bir kısmında özet şeklinde verilseymiş daha iyi olabilirmiş.
Metinlerin içinde bahsedilen kimi tabloların bulunmaması ve sayfaların yerlerinin karışması gibi birçok baskı hatasının olduğunu da söyleyeyim. Liberplus, karalisteme girdi yayınevi olarak.
Kendi başına okunabilecek bir kitaptan daha çok konuyla alakalı referans, kaynak olarak gösterebileceğiniz bir kitap olmuş. Ayrıca "serbest piyasa" ve "refah devleti" kavramlarını bilmiyorsanız kitap bunlar hakkında hiçbir açıklama yapmadığından biraz bahsi geçen tanımları araştırmanız gerekebiliyor, bunlar kitabın bir kısmında özet şeklinde verilseymiş daha iyi olabilirmiş.
Metinlerin içinde bahsedilen kimi tabloların bulunmaması ve sayfaların yerlerinin karışması gibi birçok baskı hatasının olduğunu da söyleyeyim. Liberplus, karalisteme girdi yayınevi olarak.
May 16, 2018
It is interesting topic and some thoughts are very sound. But biggest downside of the book for me was lack of clear definition of "welfare" and "free-market" terms, which are widely used throughout the text. Which makes position and argumentation of the author a bit too vague sometimes.
June 15, 2020
This books puts into perspective the growth of Nordic Countries.
August 17, 2016
The liberal left imagines Scandinavia to be a socialist miracle, all while denying the fact that the Nordic nations have long been reforming their bloated welfare ways towards greater economic freedom and market liberalization, and that is doing so they are returning to their early 20th Century roots wherein the successes they are largely credited with actually flourished the most.
Strangely, the author defines the major Scandinavian nations as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, but then repeatedly refers to Iceland's example, which is also Scandinavian in every respect except its island location apart from the Scandinavian peninsula. At other parts of the book the author refers to the "major Scandinavian nations" and states or implies that Iceland is a lesser Nordic state (probably because of small population). Still, the culture and policies pursued by all of the Nordic nations share similarities and are worth examining as a group.
This monograph should be required reading for anyone desiring to understand flawed leftist economic thinking, to wit Bernie Sanders fascination with Denmark and Sweden in this year's presidential primaries. The author argues that the Scandinavian nations are successful primarily because of their culture and homogeneity, which long proceeded their experiments into expanded welfare states beginning around 1970. As an example, the author cites statistics that Americans of Scandinavian descent fare better economically than their homeland counterparts although they live under very different policies and economies. The point is that generous welfare spending did not cause the successes of Scandinavia, but rather were enabled as an experiment by societies that were already succeeding for a myriad of factors.
Like most economics books, this is filled with tables and graphs accompanied by terse explanations of this is this, that is that, increases here, lower percentages there, etc. I thought the most interesting parts of the book were the statistics of the weakening social fabric that are resulting from the welfare state. For example, work ethic is on the decline in Scandinavia due to prominent dependence upon the state, where for millennia Scandinavians had developed a strong work ethic out of necessity from living in a harsh climate. The work ethic is a trait taken abroad by the immigrants of the 19th and 20th Century, and help to explain the success of Scandinavians in the new world. By contrast, today only 2 percent of employers describe Norwegian youth as hardworking. Sick leave benefits have skyrocketed and the numbers of Scandinavians who say they should accept benefits they are not entitled to has also steeply increased in recent decades. Finally, the studies show that women are not as equal in Scandinavia (in terms of entrepreneurship) as in other countries, most strikingly Eastern Europe. Also, large welfare states attract immigrant populations with lower skill levels who are drawn to benefits rather than nations that offer lower taxes and competitive wages to highly skilled workers. Only makes sense.
This is an important exposition of (1) the ill effects of expanded welfare states, (2) the fallacy of leftist thinking that the so-called Scandinavian model is replicable in multicultural states such as the U.S. or the U.K., and (3) that Scandinavian countries have been returning to their free market roots, with clear signs of success.
Strangely, the author defines the major Scandinavian nations as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, but then repeatedly refers to Iceland's example, which is also Scandinavian in every respect except its island location apart from the Scandinavian peninsula. At other parts of the book the author refers to the "major Scandinavian nations" and states or implies that Iceland is a lesser Nordic state (probably because of small population). Still, the culture and policies pursued by all of the Nordic nations share similarities and are worth examining as a group.
This monograph should be required reading for anyone desiring to understand flawed leftist economic thinking, to wit Bernie Sanders fascination with Denmark and Sweden in this year's presidential primaries. The author argues that the Scandinavian nations are successful primarily because of their culture and homogeneity, which long proceeded their experiments into expanded welfare states beginning around 1970. As an example, the author cites statistics that Americans of Scandinavian descent fare better economically than their homeland counterparts although they live under very different policies and economies. The point is that generous welfare spending did not cause the successes of Scandinavia, but rather were enabled as an experiment by societies that were already succeeding for a myriad of factors.
Like most economics books, this is filled with tables and graphs accompanied by terse explanations of this is this, that is that, increases here, lower percentages there, etc. I thought the most interesting parts of the book were the statistics of the weakening social fabric that are resulting from the welfare state. For example, work ethic is on the decline in Scandinavia due to prominent dependence upon the state, where for millennia Scandinavians had developed a strong work ethic out of necessity from living in a harsh climate. The work ethic is a trait taken abroad by the immigrants of the 19th and 20th Century, and help to explain the success of Scandinavians in the new world. By contrast, today only 2 percent of employers describe Norwegian youth as hardworking. Sick leave benefits have skyrocketed and the numbers of Scandinavians who say they should accept benefits they are not entitled to has also steeply increased in recent decades. Finally, the studies show that women are not as equal in Scandinavia (in terms of entrepreneurship) as in other countries, most strikingly Eastern Europe. Also, large welfare states attract immigrant populations with lower skill levels who are drawn to benefits rather than nations that offer lower taxes and competitive wages to highly skilled workers. Only makes sense.
This is an important exposition of (1) the ill effects of expanded welfare states, (2) the fallacy of leftist thinking that the so-called Scandinavian model is replicable in multicultural states such as the U.S. or the U.K., and (3) that Scandinavian countries have been returning to their free market roots, with clear signs of success.
February 26, 2018
Nima Sanandaji did a great job of explaining clearly, concisely and with enough evidence as to be convincing without making this into a more laborious economic textbook the reason for Scandinavian success despite the large welfare state.
He walks through the history of the Scandinavian economies, the root of their success, and how the welfare state affected their prosperity and equality.
Some interesting points I did not know before are:
1) Descendants of Scandinavian migrants in the US do better than those who stay in Scandinavia.
2) Nordic nations have long relied on a culture that generates economic success and positive social norms. It is their culture that has fostered success (as can be seen from point 1).
3) The welfare system has slowly undermined the culture of hard work, fairness and no free-riding. The welfare system has also stalled economic growth.
4) The economic success and equality of the Scandinavian countries comes from its free-market era before the 1970s (before the enlargement of the welfare state) and in recent years (reduction of the welfare state). In short, inequality was sizeably reduced before the enlargement of the welfare state.
He walks through the history of the Scandinavian economies, the root of their success, and how the welfare state affected their prosperity and equality.
Some interesting points I did not know before are:
1) Descendants of Scandinavian migrants in the US do better than those who stay in Scandinavia.
2) Nordic nations have long relied on a culture that generates economic success and positive social norms. It is their culture that has fostered success (as can be seen from point 1).
3) The welfare system has slowly undermined the culture of hard work, fairness and no free-riding. The welfare system has also stalled economic growth.
4) The economic success and equality of the Scandinavian countries comes from its free-market era before the 1970s (before the enlargement of the welfare state) and in recent years (reduction of the welfare state). In short, inequality was sizeably reduced before the enlargement of the welfare state.
January 5, 2019
To start with a positive, the author brings clarity and keeps information clear and concise with his writing style.
However, the author fails to bring new ideas and revolves the entire book around one premise. Welfare state is destroying the positive characteristics of Nordic culture that has propelled them to be viewed as a socialist utopia.
In fact he has sorely focused on the wonders on capitalism that he fails to even note a single merit to the welfare system.
Overall a distorted book inherently biased towards capitalism. Would recommend reading “the road to serfdom” by Hayek instead.
But at the same time, the author provides a valid notion in fostering social responsibility.
However, the author fails to bring new ideas and revolves the entire book around one premise. Welfare state is destroying the positive characteristics of Nordic culture that has propelled them to be viewed as a socialist utopia.
In fact he has sorely focused on the wonders on capitalism that he fails to even note a single merit to the welfare system.
Overall a distorted book inherently biased towards capitalism. Would recommend reading “the road to serfdom” by Hayek instead.
But at the same time, the author provides a valid notion in fostering social responsibility.
May 3, 2023
I read this book during my time in college. Our professor recommended it to us because my classmates and I were praising the left-wing model of the Scandinavian countries. After reading the book, I began to view the issue more realistically and no longer think of this region as a land of promises.
The book provides a critical analysis of the socio-economic and political structures of the Nordic countries. It challenges the widely-held belief that these countries are perfect models of welfare states, with high levels of equality and happiness. Instead, the author argues that these countries have their own set of problems and limitations that are often overlooked.
One of the key takeaways from the book is that the Scandinavian model is not easily replicable in other countries. The unique history, culture, and geography of these countries have contributed to their success, and trying to adopt their policies without considering these factors could lead to failure.
Overall, I found the book to be an eye-opening and thought-provoking read. It forced me to reconsider my preconceptions about the Scandinavian model and to approach the topic with a more critical and nuanced perspective. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in understanding the complexities of the Nordic countries and their political systems.
The book provides a critical analysis of the socio-economic and political structures of the Nordic countries. It challenges the widely-held belief that these countries are perfect models of welfare states, with high levels of equality and happiness. Instead, the author argues that these countries have their own set of problems and limitations that are often overlooked.
One of the key takeaways from the book is that the Scandinavian model is not easily replicable in other countries. The unique history, culture, and geography of these countries have contributed to their success, and trying to adopt their policies without considering these factors could lead to failure.
Overall, I found the book to be an eye-opening and thought-provoking read. It forced me to reconsider my preconceptions about the Scandinavian model and to approach the topic with a more critical and nuanced perspective. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in understanding the complexities of the Nordic countries and their political systems.
September 8, 2017
This is a concise book which explained very clearly the Nordic system. The authors explained that:
1. The Nordic nations are homogenous, have high levels of trust and good work ethics. Nordic immigrants to America are richer and more successful than both the average American and Nordic people who did not migrate.
2. They had always been rich and enjoyed a high growth rate when the government was still relatively small and social benefits less, until 1970s.
3. Then the size of the government grew and tax rate increased. That led to relative economic stagnation. Few successful international companies had since then been created.
4. The welfare state did create a new generation of young people who are able to work but who are not working. For example, they are healthy and live long but also had high proportion of people on disability welfare. Lots of immigrants end up depending on welfare and that had created social tension.
5. Most of the Nordic nations have already become more similar to other EU nations in terms of tax and government GDP spending. So even the Nordic nations need to obey natural laws of economics.
1. The Nordic nations are homogenous, have high levels of trust and good work ethics. Nordic immigrants to America are richer and more successful than both the average American and Nordic people who did not migrate.
2. They had always been rich and enjoyed a high growth rate when the government was still relatively small and social benefits less, until 1970s.
3. Then the size of the government grew and tax rate increased. That led to relative economic stagnation. Few successful international companies had since then been created.
4. The welfare state did create a new generation of young people who are able to work but who are not working. For example, they are healthy and live long but also had high proportion of people on disability welfare. Lots of immigrants end up depending on welfare and that had created social tension.
5. Most of the Nordic nations have already become more similar to other EU nations in terms of tax and government GDP spending. So even the Nordic nations need to obey natural laws of economics.
July 30, 2018
Author demonstrates that the Scandinavian success was rooted in early economic freedom and a good work ethic. This enabled the introduction of Third Way Socialism to succeed temporarily. He shows that as tax rates increased, government increased, and welfare increased, the economy and work ethic suffered. As Sweden, Denmark, and Finland starting in the 90's began to move away from these policies, the economy has been improving again. Norway, because of its oil revenue has been lagging behind in economic reforms. He also shows how the policies of the latter 20th century have been detrimental to women an immigrants in particular. He also shows how high present tax rates (though lower than a few decades ago) have been counterbalanced by free trade and labor policies, and continue in part through hiding the level of taxation. Additionally he shows that low unemployment stats, for instance, cannot be trusted because a great deal of unemployment is hidden through early retirement and disability. Excellent book!
February 16, 2022
unexceptionalism over and over
The book was an analysis of the title of the book. The author makes the argument that Scandinavia is not truly Socialist and for a brief period when it was tried disaster was the result . Scandinavia is governed by traditional economic laws. Free markets work and government dominance in society diminishes economic productivity. Culture plays a role. The problem with the book is the argument is made over and over again and that gets to be redundant. The book is a bit repetitive. Also some of the economic data is a bit dated. We need to see if his predictions hold true in Sweden and Denmark today.
The book was an analysis of the title of the book. The author makes the argument that Scandinavia is not truly Socialist and for a brief period when it was tried disaster was the result . Scandinavia is governed by traditional economic laws. Free markets work and government dominance in society diminishes economic productivity. Culture plays a role. The problem with the book is the argument is made over and over again and that gets to be redundant. The book is a bit repetitive. Also some of the economic data is a bit dated. We need to see if his predictions hold true in Sweden and Denmark today.
May 27, 2020
I don't physically have the space here to explain how many things are wrong with this work. I'll merely say that for a book that criticises left-wing politics for not understanding causality, it misattributes causal relationships constantly, by citing data then drawing completely unrelated conclusions as "facts explained by the data".
Also the author thinks third-way socialism is the same thing as social democracy and thinks economic success is genetic, which highlights at least some of the confusion this "book" displays. Tragic.
Also the author thinks third-way socialism is the same thing as social democracy and thinks economic success is genetic, which highlights at least some of the confusion this "book" displays. Tragic.
June 30, 2021
A very good analysis with historical context that normally escapes to everyone when talking about the economic and social success of the scandinavian countries, while also pointing out areas where they lack progress compared to other countries, but are not easily spotted.
December 6, 2025
Overall interesting work.
Nonetheless, data selection is narrow and sometimes seems ideologically framed. Sanandaji largely avoids discussing wealth distribution, which means he ignores the primary reason Scandinavia remained cohesive and successful even during welfare expansion.
Nonetheless, data selection is narrow and sometimes seems ideologically framed. Sanandaji largely avoids discussing wealth distribution, which means he ignores the primary reason Scandinavia remained cohesive and successful even during welfare expansion.
August 20, 2017
Great book! Explains clearly why the success of Scandinavian countries is not at all related with their big welfare state size. In fact, the big welfare stage undermined their progress.
May 21, 2020
A great introduction to understanding the success of the Nordic countries. I wish it was more elaborated but it certainly enlightened my mind to some concepts.
January 1, 2022
Libro breve e conciso, ma interessante e con numerosi dati/grafici
July 26, 2020
Recomendable
recomendable para quienes quieren saber más acerca de estas sociedades que son popularmente puestas como ejemplo de la viabilidad de estados de bienestar. Para así entender como la cultura es la que realmente influye en el desarrollo de las sociedades.
recomendable para quienes quieren saber más acerca de estas sociedades que son popularmente puestas como ejemplo de la viabilidad de estados de bienestar. Para así entender como la cultura es la que realmente influye en el desarrollo de las sociedades.
July 8, 2016
In this book, Nima Sanandaji, explain to us the reason why Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland are not a proof of the success of the socialist nordic model, referred to as simply as the nordic model or Scandinavian socialism; in fact, the author dares to make a case about the contrary, that it could be due to this Scandinavian socialism that such countries did not develop as much as they could otherwise have. The author, Nima Sanandaji, then develops each of the arguments he puts forth, along with a series of facts from which us, the readers, can draw similar—if not the same—conclusions.
Do not expect to find much rhetoric on this book, the length of the book and the way in which the author tries to explain the data to the reader prevents such thing from happening. To be precise, I dare to say that the conclusions are drawn from the data, and not the other way around; making this book an interesting piece of reading for those who may be looking for facts on what is known as Scandinavian socialism. The author does not deny that the institution could have played a role into eliminating poverty, inequalities, and such; the author questions what is held as a fact, that it was during the periods in which the state got to grow the most, expanded the welfare state, and began to move away from their previous model, that these countries made these improvements.
In short, the author explains why Scandinavian socialism—what was in fact Scandinavian socialism—had consequences that either slowed down their development or caused serious issues for the future population; and why such was, thus, not needed for them to grow.
For those of us who grew up listening to the promises and speeches of our much beloved demagogues and populist—in short, our average politicians, this book provides an answer to the reason why our nations, while tried so hard to mimic the nordic model, failed so miserably.
One bad thing I could say about this book is, as mentioned before, the briefness of this book. It could have has developed much more into the ideas, made a bigger thesis on why nations that aim to do just as these nation did. However, given that these facts are much needed, this, under current circumstances, was the best choice.
Do not expect to find much rhetoric on this book, the length of the book and the way in which the author tries to explain the data to the reader prevents such thing from happening. To be precise, I dare to say that the conclusions are drawn from the data, and not the other way around; making this book an interesting piece of reading for those who may be looking for facts on what is known as Scandinavian socialism. The author does not deny that the institution could have played a role into eliminating poverty, inequalities, and such; the author questions what is held as a fact, that it was during the periods in which the state got to grow the most, expanded the welfare state, and began to move away from their previous model, that these countries made these improvements.
In short, the author explains why Scandinavian socialism—what was in fact Scandinavian socialism—had consequences that either slowed down their development or caused serious issues for the future population; and why such was, thus, not needed for them to grow.
For those of us who grew up listening to the promises and speeches of our much beloved demagogues and populist—in short, our average politicians, this book provides an answer to the reason why our nations, while tried so hard to mimic the nordic model, failed so miserably.
One bad thing I could say about this book is, as mentioned before, the briefness of this book. It could have has developed much more into the ideas, made a bigger thesis on why nations that aim to do just as these nation did. However, given that these facts are much needed, this, under current circumstances, was the best choice.
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September 29, 2015This is a really interesting monograph. From what I have read so far, it does a really good job of refuting the myth that the Scandinavian welfare state is an unequivocal success and a model for the rest of the world. It also explains in great detail why theses countries have had a different result with their socialist policies than the rest of the world. Very enlightening and I haven't even finished it yet.
January 23, 2016
The popular belief is that Scandinavian countries disprove, or at least diminish the credibility of, basic economic theories with their marvelous economic and societal performance despite high tax rates and strict regulation. I personally used to be keen on this idea. However, this comprehensive yet compact study listing a number of reasons why no one should be deceived by the seeming paradoxon changed my mind.
November 27, 2017
It has been a year since I read this, but I still find myself thinking of it often; its data make a mockery of some of the claims that one commonly hears thrown around about the success of the Scandinavian economic model. I actually have some of the graphs and charts saved on my phone for reference, in case they should come in handy during political discussions with friends (and they have on more than one occasion).
July 5, 2015
An interesting book where the so called "brilliant" socialism of the Scandinavian countries is brought to a new light and shown how it degraded and gradually destroyed their economies.
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