Viking Economics

The Swedes experience the education ladder in a similar way to the Norwegians, starting at age six, holding off on grades through primary school, going on to lower secondary school and being allowed to leave at about age sixteen.

I’ve been struck in researching this book by the consistency with which the many international rating systems for the human development and well-being of a country correlate with percentage of workers in unions.

He joined the movement at a time when a significant number of labor leaders were turning to Marxism, which meant that they organized workers for immediate gains and also for the overthrow of capitalism. Deviating from Marxist orthodoxy, however, the Norwegian leaders decided that when they achieved power they would not collectivize agriculture. Instead, they would protect and extend family farms and clear more land for development. This choice created a potential bond between industrial workers and small farmers.