Northern Kingdoms Part 1
Traveling is always an enjoyable and educational experience. Especially in countries where real socialism flourishes, for which the CPSU fought so unsuccessfully, you can somehow see a bright future that we could have, but for some reason it didn’t work out, however, as always.
My story is for the kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
At the beginning of the last century, these were the poorest countries in Europe, and now they are countries with the highest standard of living, with the best social systems, and not only because they found oil and gas on the shelf of the North Sea, we also found it in the Black Sea, but what's the point no, but that's it. . .
I will present my story in 3-4 parts, as it turns out.
Scandinavians and social protection
I think well-known companies do not require advertising, for example, Sweden: Saab, Scania, Volvo, Volvo Truck, Ericsson, Electrolux... Despite the very large tax burden (up to 70%), these enterprises won its customers all over the world. The system of employee motivation in this country is interesting - a personnel worker is usually tied to the company's profits, and before retiring for merit, he can receive shares in his enterprise. In Norway, by the way, income from the sale of oil and gas products goes to the special accounts of every Norwegian. But he has the right to invest this money only in shares of any enterprises. This is how they lay the foundation for the future, when oil and gas run out and equity earnings remain. Well done, what can I say. . .
But back to social protection. Where do taxes or budget money go? About 1/3 of the budget goes to social payments + all sorts of municipal payments, pension funds, etc. If it were not for state assistance, Sweden would officially have about 36% of the poor, but after the redistribution of the total state income through taxes, this figure is about 5%. In general, in Sweden there are no contrasts between the well-being of people, you will not see homeless people, just as you will not see flashy wealth. During my entire stay in the capital of Sweden, I did not see ANY jeep or hut with 5 floors with columns on the streets. They consider it very shameful to show off their income. The houses that you will see in the photo are like this everywhere, there are no others - wooden siding, a maximum of 2 floors, the area, I think, is up to 200 sq. m.
Dali be. . .
