Booth, Michael (2014) The Almost Nearly Perfect People. Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia, New York: Picador Books, 388 pages.

The Scandinavia described by the author makes up 26 million people in an area way up north. It has a short summer season and long cold winters. None of the countries are Utopian. They include Sweden, Denmark, Norway,   Iceland, and Finland.

How can people be so happy with such high taxes? The answer appears that Americans think low taxes mean low costs and more money. As the Scandinavians see it. The taxes (about 50 to 60 pennies per dollar) pay for everything except pure discretionary income… Further, the folks’  government can buy in bulk so that you get an economy of scale and pay less than most other countries.

Supposedly, the Danes are the most happy. However, this country has been run over many times and the military events have hardened the Danes’ inner reserve. A neighbor is more than a neighbor, but some type of friend in need. This county has numerous  voluntary associations that bring people together. Each bad histories event brings folks closer and closer. Each has that inward wall and reach out to others for their wall of support. The author is from the UK, but now lives with his wife in Denmark. Danes when asked where they would rather live seen puzzled. Denmark is their home and nest.

All the countries are modernists and pragmatic. If the view from the road is troubled by various oddities, they simply build a beautiful wall around it. The country is nostalgic and yet a rational cover of all things bad gives each country a special dignity.

Sweden is a country that all  the other 4  countries  hate. They have made a ton of money, nearly lost it all in 99′ and bounced back to prosperity again. They are quiet and inward looking and most of the country is covered with modern to post modern new buildings. Fences cover the rest. They have a number of household goods and a fairly deep in debt. However, this is tempered by the Lutheran church.

Sweden was neutral during World War II and a number of Swedes collaborated with Hitler. Thus, there is an ongoing guilt. To rectify those feelings, nearly 50, 000 immigrants are allowed in each year. Of course, there is problems as the Swedish Democrats (racist Nazis) gained about 15% of the vote. Thus, the newspapers, trade unions, chamber of commerce and related organizations have blitzed the coverage of the racist party.

The Swedes have the most diversified economy. Once a social democracy or mixed economy, they have become a welfare state where all the means of productions are privately owned. It’s hero is Olaf Palme who not only brought  growth, but also equality. He was shot down as he and his wife were out walking. Their residence was very modest. The killing was a shock to this peaceful country.

Norway is the new rich kid on the block. Where there was poverty, now there is richest due to oil findings in their area. One can only think of the television program of the “Beverly Hillbillies.” However, the new rich still wear the fashion of the region which is a sport coat and jeans. They appear not only equal, but a country at ease with itself

The Right wing has diminished after 22/7. A racist Norwegian killed an immigrant. However, it appears that Norway stills carries a racist ambience.  Norway consist of large homes over looking meadows and lakes. Thus, Norway looks a lot different than Sweden. It also differs culturally.

The ultimate Scandinavian is Finland. They follow the Janet law of not being boastful. Their problem is the long dark months and short summer, and alcohol increases one’s defenses, increases aggression and hedonism. However, this is not what the author found. He does not describe why this is so, but they consume a lot of alcohol.

Iceland receives the smallest amount of print in this book. The country is composed of a couple hundred thousand people. You watch where you walk because of the steamy tar pits. Folks speak an old Norse language, and they appear to also have short summers. Before the crash of 2008 bought the phony financial instruments of American banking.

Further, a fishing quota was established in 1991 and became the symbol of what was wrong with Iceland. It is a tough, macho, aggressive, nation that has been controlled by outsiders for long periods of time. They are slowly rebounding and do not appreciate the condescending remarks of Swedes and for that matter Russia.

Booth is/was a conservative but admits that the in general the Scandinavian model is  probably the best for most people, most of the time. Although the writing is forced a bit, you find an engaging and interesting book for those interested in the area or social democracy and/or the welfare state. When all things are considered this non-utopian system appears to work most of the time.

Prof. Joel Snell

Kirkwood College/ Cedar Rapids Iowa.

(*The reviewer is predominantly Swedish. He taught for 10 years at one of the two Danish Colleges in the United States. His son has visited Denmark. There are other connections that may bias this review.)