Here we go again, George Osbourne, in his speech yesterday made a reference to Sweden as an example of delivery or services,local decision making and choice.(I have heard all that stuff before somewhere methinks)
I cannot recall who it was who has recently hailed Sweden as way forward(Polly Toynbee I think), but I would like to hear some views from any people with vast experience with Sweden, or who live there.
IMHO, Sweden, much like the rest of Scandanavia seems to be percieved by most with rose tinted glasses and viewed as examples of "good" socialism whereas the UK is an example of "bad" socialism.
However after a bit of research, I am getting the impression that many of the unwanted byproducts of socialism and the welfare state are features of the Swedish social and political landscape eg Excessive Waste, Unwanted State Intervention, "dumbing down" and massive beaurocracy.
Coupled with this, it appears that they too have big problems with immigrant minorities as well, and are unable to deal with it effectively owing to excessive liberalisation and political correctness.
If my assumption is correct, and to more or less a degree Sweden is facing the same challenges, if not more significant than the UK, why are politicians , and expecially Conservatives, making references to the Swedish Welfare State?
I cannot recall who it was who has recently hailed Sweden as way forward(Polly Toynbee I think), but I would like to hear some views from any people with vast experience with Sweden, or who live there.
IMHO, Sweden, much like the rest of Scandanavia seems to be percieved by most with rose tinted glasses and viewed as examples of "good" socialism whereas the UK is an example of "bad" socialism.
However after a bit of research, I am getting the impression that many of the unwanted byproducts of socialism and the welfare state are features of the Swedish social and political landscape eg Excessive Waste, Unwanted State Intervention, "dumbing down" and massive beaurocracy.
Coupled with this, it appears that they too have big problems with immigrant minorities as well, and are unable to deal with it effectively owing to excessive liberalisation and political correctness.
If my assumption is correct, and to more or less a degree Sweden is facing the same challenges, if not more significant than the UK, why are politicians , and expecially Conservatives, making references to the Swedish Welfare State?
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