The Misconception of Sweden as a Socialist Utopia

Many people think of Sweden as a socialist utopia. However, their social progress is not due to socialism itself but rather a combination of various factors including historical context, forward-thinking policies, and a unique political climate.

Sweden's Social Success and Historical Context

The social progress made in Sweden has led to their perceived status as a socialist utopia. Yet, this is largely a result of forward-thinking policies promoted by elected socialists. While Sweden did experience a period of flirtation with socialism in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, they have since pulled back significantly. This success can be attributed to several factors, including a legacy of positive actions taken during World War II, which provided a boost that was quite the opposite of the intended success.

British author Roland Huntford, in his 1971 book 'The New Totalitarians' (Revised 1980), analyzes the political and social climate of early 1970s Sweden. He argues that it resembled a benevolent totalitarian state similar to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World'. This perspective provides a critical view of the social dynamics in Sweden during this era.

The Evolution of Swedish Society

Sweden has evolved over the past four decades, particularly since the 1950s. The role of the Social Democratic Party in governance is a central theme. Since coming to office in 1932, they have held power for over four decades, focusing on technocratic reforms. The party's policies have transformed Sweden into what Huntford describes as an ‘ideological success for the commies’—a society moving towards a communist utopia through bureaucratic reforms.

Huntford highlights that the key to Sweden’s transformation lies in its technocratic governance. He writes, 'They have altered the nature of government by making it a matter of economics and technology alone. Politicians have lost their significance in Sweden, supplanted by a form of technocratic oligarchy which is apparently unassailable because its tenets are universally accepted.'

This transformation has created a society that can be likened to an 'open-air nut house'. If California were a country in Europe, it would indeed be Sweden. Political and cultural chaos prevails under the guise of socialist governance.

Economic and Social Challenges

Economically, Sweden has struggled despite or perhaps because of its socialist policies. The wealth-creating state, often referred to euphemistically as socialism, has failed to deliver on its promises. Social democracy has become a means to an end, aiming for a communist utopia through bureaucratic reform rather than violent revolution. Despite the rhetoric, it has proven to be a failure in every other aspect, including economics, culture, and politics.

The push towards technocratic governance has created a society where the "rulers" understand the intersection of economics and power and where the "ruled" submit to authority and reverence experts. Individuality is suppressed, and there is a preference for government by bureaucrat rather than political leaders. This has led to a society that, as Huntford notes, is a far cry from the Sweden of the 1930s, let alone the Tsarist Russia of the early 20th century.

The Mensheviks and Methods of Social Change

The concept of the Mensheviks, a faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, is relevant here. Despite their agreement on the communist utopia, the Mensheviks differed from the Bolsheviks on methods. They believed that change could occur gradually and through bureaucratic reform rather than violent revolution. This method has been mirrored in Sweden's approach to social and economic transformation.

The transformation of Sweden into a technocratic oligarchy has not been without scrutiny. Critics argue that this form of governance suppresses individuality and prioritizes collective welfare over personal freedom. While the goal of achieving a utopia is noble, the means utilized have led to a society that is in many ways a failure in practical terms.

Conclusion

Sweden is often hailed as a socialist utopia. However, a closer look at its history and current political climate reveals a more complex picture. While social progress has been made, the methods and outcomes are far from harmonious. The once sleeper success story under socialism is now being scrutinized for its ideological and practical failures.