Great documentary. Very interesting clarification of Sweden welfare state that is run by free markets.
8 Reviews
Informative
staceyvg1 January 2019
I learned a lot about Sweden that contradicts US myths
mike-547-70186624 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I had always thought Sweden was socialist. It was for a while, but not anymore. They have school choice now and no minimum wage, AND universal healthcare and education and public defined contribution pensions. Today, their taxes are about the same as the top bracket in the US plus state, social security, medicare taxes. Watch this documentary and see how they accomplish this.
Subtle propaganda
kurtxwatson-0418026 September 2019
It's a slick film with lots of friendly happy people in it, and nice shots of modern Swedes going about their day and enjoying thie life.
What's largely missing are actual facts. There are many opinions given, but little in the way of hard data. There's also some implied 'all workers are lazy' nonsense.
It gets 3 stars for the quality of photography and editing, it is well made. It gets no stars for actual educating anyone.
Check the credits on this thing, it was financed entirely by right-wing proto-fascists.
What's largely missing are actual facts. There are many opinions given, but little in the way of hard data. There's also some implied 'all workers are lazy' nonsense.
It gets 3 stars for the quality of photography and editing, it is well made. It gets no stars for actual educating anyone.
Check the credits on this thing, it was financed entirely by right-wing proto-fascists.
Smashing the myth of Sweden's socialism
rodsullivan-5139426 December 2020
Did you know that in Sweden there is no minimum wage? That every Swedish parent gets a voucher and can send his or her child to any school they choose?
Did you know that in Sweden health care is provided by private doctors and private hospitals, and that they are paid by patients using local (as opposed to national) government vouchers? That in Sweden Social Security benefits go up AND down depending on how the economy is doing? That in Sweden fewer people cheat on government benefits because they know they are truly "all in this together?"
Don't tell The Squad. Do watch this one-hour movie on Amazon Prime Video.
Did you know that in Sweden health care is provided by private doctors and private hospitals, and that they are paid by patients using local (as opposed to national) government vouchers? That in Sweden Social Security benefits go up AND down depending on how the economy is doing? That in Sweden fewer people cheat on government benefits because they know they are truly "all in this together?"
Don't tell The Squad. Do watch this one-hour movie on Amazon Prime Video.
Norberg fails to understand the USA
rogun-3575014 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Norberg's understanding of the USA is worse than what he believes Americans understand about Sweden. He ponders why Americans relish Swedish social democracy, while routing it's merits at the same time. He ignores that Sweden reached it's current position by moving from the far left, but that the USA would reach it by moving from the far right.
As a member of the Libertarian Cato Institute, I expect better. One Swede in the documentary mentioned that US labor unions need to "earn" the right for better treatment. Apparently they don't realize that American workers have far better productivity levels than Swedish workers. Apparently they don't realize the struggles that American unions go through just to exist.
Here's my question for Mr. Norberg: Why are you arguing for more US centric economics, when you're clearly proud of what you have in Sweden? If you truly want the US to be more like Sweden -- and who wouldn't, considering how the economies are moving in opposite directions -- than you're on the wrong side here.
As a member of the Libertarian Cato Institute, I expect better. One Swede in the documentary mentioned that US labor unions need to "earn" the right for better treatment. Apparently they don't realize that American workers have far better productivity levels than Swedish workers. Apparently they don't realize the struggles that American unions go through just to exist.
Here's my question for Mr. Norberg: Why are you arguing for more US centric economics, when you're clearly proud of what you have in Sweden? If you truly want the US to be more like Sweden -- and who wouldn't, considering how the economies are moving in opposite directions -- than you're on the wrong side here.
very nice presentation
kathrynjohnston-8832531 January 2021
I watched the video a few years ago and read the somewhat differently informative Cato policy report (e.g. 45% of US income tax paid by top 10% but only 27% in Sweden) later. What's missing from the other reviews is how the narrative leads off with the writings and influence of 18th century Finnish economist Anders Chydenius in bringing Sweden from a terrible economy to one of the world's richest. The theme of freedom to allow for innovation and creativity is revisited throughout. Also left out of other reviews is any mention of the severely overtaxed economy that led to recent reforms, and how Sweden pays for its social programs by taxing everyone including the poor. I.e. everyone has a stake with no "their fair share" mantra to placate lazy scholars. The result? Quality of life is a broad topic and crony capitalism has many aspects but UK's 2016 Gini index of 35, China's 39, and USA's 41 look shameful compared to Sweden's 29 in 2017 (cf. wikip list of countries).
Weak on perspective
bdctunes9 August 2020
Clearly a film that doesn't delve deep in detail. The filmmakers have an agenda.
The implied lessons are a rat hole that won't end well for Americans if implemented. Privatization in the US has never ended well. America can learn much better lessons from it's own history of success, dating from WW2 till about 1980.
Propaganda
evd-214 April 2020
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
