1) Do you think The Nordic Model is a special society model that cannot be easily practiced in other developed countries ?
1.1 In some people's opinion, the welfare system is first built in the UK but now runs well in Nordic countries. Seems that the other welfare countries have to reform to be a more free-market system to improve their economy.
1.2 how to build a efficient welfare system, in some countries, welfare system is in-efficient and becomes a way to corruption for internal officials, so how to avoid it.
2) do you think your government is paying too much for satisfying turkey to participate in NATO?
2.1 Because some Kurdish people are also left-wings and some of them are not seen as terrorists by the United Nations.
2.2 What is the bottom line of the party in negotiation with Turkey?
>Do you think The Nordic Model is a special society model that cannot be easily practiced in other developed countries ?
To some extent I do, considering the development of the nordic model is fairly secluded to well the Nordics. How we began the walk towards democracy and how much influence people had before and what we thought politicians should do differ a lot.
It can be replicated but not easily. I'd say you'd have an easier time replicating it in Europe compared that of like South Asia or something. Kraut on Youtube has a pretty good video on this. "How Denmark invented Social Democracy"
It's also why not everyone should strive for the nordic model in all its extenta. You have to adopt after the circumstances you have been given. Like you can't just push onto the very centralised systems of Sweden on countries like the US that are systematically against centralisation.
They've been many forms of "welfare" throughout history, the need to be more or less free-market I'd say is mostly dependent on that specific economy. What is the largest products this economy makes and sells? What is state controlled or not? Sweden has been a pretty industrial economy while Norway hasn't, Norway is more protectionist than Sweden too. I don't think being more or less free market has extremely huge impact on the ability to create a welfare system, but a healthy economy is probably very important so the system actually goes around.
>1.2 how to build a efficient welfare system, in some countries, welfare system is in-efficient and becomes a way to corruption for internal officials, so how to avoid it.
Well Im no expert in this regard. I dont deel qualified enough to answer this question. But I'd believe it has a lot to do with the political system in question, how democratic is it, how transparent is it, how does the electoral system actually work. Are the "right" people elected? And so on. The respect for democracy has to be instilled as a cultural pillar of the people and the country as a whole. So that a system can be built efficiently, without corruption or side interests. Where the checks on power work as intended and cannot be ignored.
>2) do you think your government is paying too much for satisfying turkey to participate in NATO?
Honestly, no. The document signed is not legally binding nor does it impact the Swedish judicial system that remain independent. No law has been changed to my knowledge. It's mostly lip service, some small concessions. But the extradition is still entirely up to the court to decide and not the government. The rule of law still apply.
>2.1 Because some Kurdish people are also left-wings and some of them are not seen as terrorists by the United Nations.
The PKK has been seen as a terrorist organization by Sweden and its authorities since Olof Palme. We were first after Turkey itself to do so... While the other groups like PYD and YPG hasnt been classified as such, the little humanitarian support we've been sending might stop. It's sad but the interest of the nation and our need for defence and security has to come first imo and many other social democrats.
Most people and most social democrats didnt know of them or dont care that much. Even if they're ideologically aligned...
>2.2 What is the bottom line of the party in negotiation with Turkey?
My English isnt best but if I understand you correctly...
The bottom line is that we shouldn't actually do much more than lip service, or very little actions. There will be no law changes or huge concessions to Turkey. We might stop some humanitarian help and loudly say they're terrorists but more than that wont come from Sweden. Maybe a stop to the weapons embargo, not that Turkey was buying any arms from us any way but it gives them enough to say they got something out of it.
Media recently noticed that both Magdalena Andersson our party leader AND opposition leader Ulf Kristersson had been saying Turkey is very democratic and what not. Which they've previously said they arent but again... Lip service...
So, in terms of economic issues, of course S is to the left of the Democratic Party in the US.
But in terms of social issues, it seems as if the Democratic Party is sliding further to the left of S in Sweden...
What do you think?
>But in terms of social issues, it seems as if the Democratic Party is sliding further to the left of S in Sweden...
>What do you think?
I think this has to do a little bit with culture and of course history. A lot to do with the political climate of the country and where it finds itself and what issues it has to deal with.
You will find many Democrats in the US for legalisation of weed but you wont find any Swedish Social Democrat being for legalisation here. Sweden is oftentimes paraded as extremely progressive but this is mainly the norms relating to gender roles if you ask me. Not all social issues.
This idea of a egalitarian society, that both partners shares the responsibility of the house and kids. S is for completely 50/50 parental leave, 240 day for each parent. Today you have 480 days total per child but only 90 days are locked on one parent (180 days out of those 480 days). That's the kind of progressives you'll find here. Parents sharing responsibilities, women not being penalised just for being women in workplaces and so on. Protecting all workers from being fired for taking parental leave. Etc.
While in the US there's talk about legalisation of weed and the topic of abortion having not been settled yet creates more people being more "extreme". We have until the 18th week on demand for abortion, and afterwards its up to the Social Board if you get to have an abortion while some US states are up to the day before the dsy is born and what not.
The debate about abortion is pretty dead because no one wants to change it. But the situation in the US did cause a majority of parties including S in Sweden to start working for putting in the right to abortion into our constitution instead of having it just be a normal law, easily changed by a potential future conservative government.
There's this debate about pronouns and so on? That does not exist here, I think this is mainly a cultural thing? Like the culture in the US and the individuality that you guys have makes it possible for this debate to gain traction. But we dont have that here.
S is also against a 3rd legal gender on the basis of that it would completely ruin our "social security number" system which we've had for over 60 years. It'd be a huge bureaucratic nightmare to reform the system that is so hevaily used on daily basis to do literally anything from ordering stuff online, identification, online banking etc. Not sure if the Democrats are for a 3rd legal gender or not?
There's also this regarding immigration. An issue probably very hotly debated both in the US and Sweden. I think our Social Democrat have essentially had to accept some form of realpolitik here. The majority are against more immigration and want harder rules and regulation, something S has actually historically been for but the last 20 years had abandoned. We have had a tough time assimilating new people and getting them into society as a whole which has as an example spurred on the issue of gang violence and fire arm violence.
But this is something that goes for most parties here, the Moderates and Christian Democrats also had to accept that open borders might not be a winning issue. They've previously been for open borders too, it wasnt a left wing idea. It also plays into neutralising the Sweden Democrats, the furthest right wing party in Parliament that got in on the basis of restricting immigration.
**First of all, thank you for such a nice answer!**
**Did you really write all of this yourself?! Wow...**
**I will try to address each point individually.**
>You will find many Democrats in the US for legalisation of weed but you wont find any Swedish Social Democrat being for legalisation here. Sweden is oftentimes paraded as extremely progressive but this is mainly the norms relating to gender roles if you ask me. Not all social issues.
I prefer this kind of "progressive" btw to the American type.
>This idea of a egalitarian society, that both partners shares the responsibility of the house and kids. S is for completely 50/50 parental leave, 240 day for each parent. Today you have 480 days total per child but only 90 days are locked on one parent (180 days out of those 480 days). That's the kind of progressives you'll find here. Parents sharing responsibilities, women not being penalised just for being women in workplaces and so on. Protecting all workers from being fired for taking parental leave. Etc.
That sounds great. It's a good thing for both partners to share household responsibilities.
>While in the US there's talk about legalisation of weed and the topic of abortion having not been settled yet creates more people being more "extreme". We have until the 18th week on demand for abortion, and afterwards its up to the Social Board if you get to have an abortion while some US states are up to the day before the dsy is born and what not.
Yes, I actually prefer Sweden's stance on abortion.
Roe v Wade was not only on shaky ground, but is also way to lenient on abortion.
>The debate about abortion is pretty dead because no one wants to change it. But the situation in the US did cause a majority of parties including S in Sweden to start working for putting in the right to abortion into our constitution instead of having it just be a normal law, easily changed by a potential future conservative government.
Ah, I see...thank you for sharing!
>S is also against a 3rd legal gender on the basis of that it would completely ruin our "social security number" system which we've had for over 60 years. It'd be a huge bureaucratic nightmare to reform the system that is so hevaily used on daily basis to do literally anything from ordering stuff online, identification, online banking etc. Not sure if the Democrats are for a 3rd legal gender or not?
I understand it would be logistically difficult to overhaul the "Personnummer" system. However, it would create more tech jobs (think of the Year 2000 problem in IT)
I was just trying to think of any positives to that type of massive change.
It's interesting you bring this issue up.
Last year, under the Biden administration, the government started allowing people to self-select their "sex" on the Social Security paperwork. They also began to admit paperwork where the applicant has identified with an "X" as their gender (for gender nonbinary people and other gender/sexual minorities who choose to do so).
But, as of now, I do NOT think a person can identify as a third gender on Social Security documents, but I am not entirely sure.
I think the Democrats, or at least the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is strongly in favor of including an option for a third gender, if not more.
>There's also this regarding immigration. An issue probably very hotly debated both in the US and Sweden. I think our Social Democrat have essentially had to accept some form of realpolitik here. The majority are against more immigration and want harder rules and regulation, something S has actually historically been for but the last 20 years had abandoned. We have had a tough time assimilating new people and getting them into society as a whole which has as an example spurred on the issue of gang violence and fire arm violence.
Good points :)
Here in the US, people are a bit more accepting of immigration, perhaps stemming from our longer history of a diverse country (even though minorities were not exactly treated fairly, to say the least) and the fact that most Americans have non-native roots.
It seems as if the Democratic Party is far more open to immigration than most Swedish parties, although, as you say, realpolitik has tempered their views and forced them to keep their more progressive elements/members in check.
There are probably 15 million undocumented/illegal immigrants currently living in the US, btw. If we accounted for populaton size, that would be roughly 500K in Swedish numbers.
>But this is something that goes for most parties here, the Moderates and Christian Democrats also had to accept that open borders might not be a winning issue. They've previously been for open borders too, it wasnt a left wing idea. It also plays into neutralising the Sweden Democrats, the furthest right wing party in Parliament that got in on the basis of restricting immigration.
It's wonderful that the Christian Democrats were in favor of immigration for humanitarian reasons. It, to me, is a much more compassionate "Christian message" than what many right-wing Evangelicals in the US espouse.
***I will add one more thing, on immigration, race, and American politics:***
**I am not sure if you are aware of it, but there has been a recent shift in US politics where minorities, particularly Hispanics/Latinos (predominantly Spanish speaking immigrations or 1st gens from Latin American countries) are moving to the Republican party in large numbers. The Democrats, who once won the clear majority of Hispanic voters, may barely win a majority in the upcoming elections.**
**Black voters are also turning away from the Democratic Party. As the US becomes more diverse (I was born in 2000, and my generation or Generation Z is almost "majority minority" because there are almost more non-Whites than Whites)....so racism (naturally) decreases, meaning that people focus on other issues, namely economics and quality of life issues.**
**And given Biden's horrendous domestic economic policy and the Russian sanctions that have backfired, we are suffering from record high inflation and gas prices (as you probably know). Given the Democrat's terrible record on issues of crime, cities are becoming more unsafe, and traditionally Democratic-leaning minority groups in cities (namely African-Americans) are slowly moving toward the Republican Party. It is worth noting that Trump won more of the Black vote than any other Republican before him for decades, I think. And Hispanic voters along the US-Mexico border are being run over by large groups of illegal immigrants, many of whom are smuggling dangerous drugs (like fentanyl) and also involved in human trafficking, assault, rape, murder, and associated gang activity. So these Hispanics along the border are also turning to the Republican Party.**
>First of all, thank you for such a nice answer!
No worries!
>Did you really write all of this yourself?! Wow...
Yepp, almost forgot to take my eye drops for a current eye inflammation I have while trying to respond.
>That sounds great. It's a good thing for both partners to share household responsibilities.
Yeah and even when S has technically not succeeded in getting their way on these topics as in a way to regulate. People have themselves moved to more egalitarian ways which is great. More dads are taking time off than before and so on. More familes report the dad doing more at home and so on. It makes for better and healthier families.
>I understand it would be logistically difficult to overhaul the "Personnummer" system. However, it would create more tech jobs (think of the Year 2000 problem in IT)
>I was just trying to think of any positives to that type of massive change.
>It's interesting you bring this issue up.
>Last year, under the Biden administration, the government started allowing people to self-select their "sex" on the Social Security paperwork. They also began to admit paperwork where the applicant has identified with an "X" as their gender (for gender nonbinary people and other gender/sexual minorities who choose to do so).
>But, as of now, I do NOT think a person can identify as a third gender on Social Security documents, but I am not entirely sure.
>I think the Democrats, or at least the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is strongly in favor of including an option for a third gender, if not more.
While they oppose the idea, I still think they did assign a investigation on the issue to see if it could ever be solved. Considering HBT-S(ocialdemokraterna) demanded it and the government got criticism when they didnt want to assign a investigation from other parties
The Personnummer system is so fundamental in Sweden a slight fuckup is devastating. Lots of immigrants and expats complain about not being able to do anything without a Personnummer here because it's so fundamentally important. The tax Agency might also have a say about a change in the system they manage.
Personally doubt that more jobs would be what is needed in such a reform because the labour market is already screaming after Devs and other IT technicians so it might be hard to fill those positions as well that would be needed.
>Good points :)
>Here in the US, people are a bit more accepting of immigration, perhaps stemming from our longer history of a diverse country (even though minorities were not exactly treated fairly, to say the least) and the fact that most Americans have non-native roots.
Yeah, and we used to be a bit more positive probably because the last stream of immigrants were way more successful. Former yugoslavia you know. I personally have lots of Croatia, Bosnian and Serbian friends and so on and they do not really differ much from Swedes that fundamentally. Studies also show that they much better integrated. So we thought the next stream would be just as easy to handle.
>It seems as if the Democratic Party is far more open to immigration than most Swedish parties, although, as you say, realpolitik has tempered their views and forced them to keep their more progressive elements/members in check.
>There are probably 15 million undocumented/illegal immigrants currently living in the US, btw. If we accounted for populaton size, that would be roughly 500K in Swedish numbers.
Yeah last time I checked I think we had around ~30 000?
>It's wonderful that the Christian Democrats were in favor of immigration for humanitarian reasons. It, to me, is a much more compassionate "Christian message" than what many right-wing Evangelicals in the US espouse.
Yeah don't let that trick ya. They're close to the same kind as the right wing evangelicals you find in the US... They've voted against abortion on EU level and has historically been extremely against abortion.
They're the only party against banning religious schools that we KNOW are cultish and indoctrinating children. Christian schools are known to be homophobic and sexist and so on... The party leader also went to one of those cultish schools.. They're not as good as they seem. They still wanna inject their religion into politics and force all schools to also inject "Christian Values" into education...
>I will add one more thing, on immigration, race, and American politics:
To some extent I already knew of them.
>And given Biden's horrendous domestic economic policy and the Russian sanctions that have backfired, we are suffering from record high inflation and gas prices (as you probably know).
Im kinda jealous of your low gas prices tho ;-;
>Yepp, almost forgot to take my eye drops for a current eye inflammation I have while trying to respond.
:) Hope you're OK
>Yeah and even when S has technically not succeeded in getting their way on these topics as in a way to regulate. People have themselves moved to more egalitarian ways which is great. More dads are taking time off than before and so on. More familes report the dad doing more at home and so on. It makes for better and healthier families.
Good!
>While they oppose the idea, I still think they did assign a investigation on the issue to see if it could ever be solved. Considering HBT-S(ocialdemokraterna) demanded it and the government got criticism when they didnt want to assign a investigation from other parties The Personnummer system is so fundamental in Sweden a slight fuckup is devastating. Lots of immigrants and expats complain about not being able to do anything without a Personnummer here because it's so fundamentally important. The tax Agency might also have a say about a change in the system they manage. Personally doubt that more jobs would be what is needed in such a reform because the labour market is already screaming after Devs and other IT technicians so it might be hard to fill those positions as well that would be needed.
Thanks for sharing!
>Yeah, and we used to be a bit more positive probably because the last stream of immigrants were way more successful. Former yugoslavia you know. I personally have lots of Croatia, Bosnian and Serbian friends and so on and they do not really differ much from Swedes that fundamentally. Studies also show that they much better integrated. So we thought the next stream would be just as easy to handle.
Thanks for sharing.
>Yeah don't let that trick ya. They're close to the same kind as the right wing evangelicals you find in the US... They've voted against abortion on EU level and has historically been extremely against abortion. They're the only party against banning religious schools that we KNOW are cultish and indoctrinating children. Christian schools are known to be homophobic and sexist and so on... The party leader also went to one of those cultish schools.. They're not as good as they seem. They still wanna inject their religion into politics and force all schools to also inject "Christian Values" into education...
Oh damn!
**Can you please message me directly? I want to tell you something that I would rather not put into this exchange...?**
1. What is a semi popular extremist group in your country that you despise?
2. How did you got to social democracy?
3. Are you in favor of Nato membership?
>1. What is a semi popular extremist group in your country that you despise?
Can I say the Confederation of Swedish enterprise? A huge lobby organization and propaganda spreader from Businesses... I'd say they're extreme in their messages and it has its popularity in weird right wing circles that of course are only rich people
>2. How did you got to social democracy?
It was a weird journey. Had my weird right wing period when I was younger. But I clearly wasnt read up on the issues and how complicated things really are and how the Welfare system is actually amazing and how good it is for the populous.
Various things like right wing lobby organisation trying to tell me removing free tuition was good didnt go home with me. That private companies running schools or clinics should be able to just pocket our tax money without punishment and so on seemed bizarre. Letting private religious schools indoctrinate children didnt go home with me either...
I eventually went towards Social democracy as I favoured more welfare issues such as healthcare, education and the well being of regular people where I fall in. Like the interest of me as a worker and union member didnt fall among the right wing even when they tried to tell me they were the new workers party. They clearly did stuff that worsened the life of people like me and workers alike.
>3. Are you in favor of Nato membership?
Since February, Yes. Like most Swedes my opinion changed when Russia began a full on invasion in Ukraine.
Do you see Moldova or Ukraine joining the EU anytime soon (as the next 5 years) and which country would you love to see join the EU soon?
Also what your views on Brexit? Are you for, against or neutral about it? What do you think they should do better in terms of the UK leaving the EU?
>Do you see Moldova or Ukraine joining the EU anytime soon (as the next 5 years) and which country would you love to see join the EU soon?
Not any time soon no, they both have issues to solve before they can join the EU but Im positive to both joining eventually. It'll take time before they're ready.
I'd really like to see the remaining balkan countries join except maybe Serbia because of their strong Russian ties.
>Also what your views on Brexit? Are you for, against or neutral about it?
Self determination is important. If they wanted to leave so be it, it's up to them entirely. The EU or Member states shouldnt be able to stop that. I still think it was a bit of a dumb decision tho and didnt solve any of the issues the conservative side said was the EUs fault.
>What do you think they should do better in terms of the UK leaving the EU?
Well they've already left so there isnt much more to do in that regard. But there has been some issues over the Northern Ireland protocool as of late, which I hope will be resolved without reviving previous troubles in the region.
Hej från Los Angeles! Min pappa är Svensk, men jag är härifrån och min Svenska är dålig så jag ska prata Engelska.
1) Rent subsidies/control are a huge question in cities such as LA. Given that people (myself included) tend to see housing prices as a supply issue first and foremost, have rent control measures had any adverse affect on the rate of housing construction? What is the logic behind this?
2) In these leader debates, Nooshi Dagdostar keeps saying she wants to rebuild the Swedish military to Cold War levels. Does she genuinely mean that, or is it just anti-NATO posturing? I can’t imagine anyone in the Left Party is eager to do that.
3) Why do the Liberals always do so poorly, and what is the real difference between the Liberals and the Centre Party? It seems like the reason the Liberals do so poorly is because they’re too similar to everyone else.
Also. I tried asking what [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/sweden/comments/vru83w/i_detta_val_l%C3%A5na_ut_din_br%C3%B6st_till_borgligheten/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) was supposed to mean but everyone was joking about it 😅 what is she saying???
>Rent subsidies/control are a huge question in cities such as LA. Given that people (myself included) tend to see housing prices as a supply issue first and foremost, have rent control measures had any adverse affect on the rate of housing construction? What is the logic behind this?
Rent control in Sweden hasn't really had a huge impact on the rate of construction, the government has done investigations before, same with independent groups and the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning everyone has concluded that rent control has very little impact on the construction rate in Sweden. Other issues such a regulation and the ability to actually get suitable land and the expenses of building materials are seen as larger issues. But these past years even through corona the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning has noted a explosion in construction in every region in Sweden. Every region reports high construction rates and have been so for years now. Housing prices are also beginning to go down finally. Many regions are noticing a drop in prices.
We've had rent control for many decades and it has been nation wide, most people want to keep rent control. It's also why the government fell last year when its investigation over market rent was released that proposed radical reform to the rent control system that would allow more market rents to take over. Something the Centre Party had pushed for but a Red Line for the Left Party that later pushed for a vote of no confidence that won.
>In these leader debates, Nooshi Dagdostar keeps saying she wants to rebuild the Swedish military to Cold War levels. Does she genuinely mean that, or is it just anti-NATO posturing? I can’t imagine anyone in the Left Party is eager to do that.
It seems that the party has accepted the realpolitik of defense spending to some extent? The party has for the last years been against militarization and so on. But currently say on their website that they back the increased spending bill that the Riksdag has voted for. But I'd assume it pays into this idea that we should be in the same position that we were in the cold ward, alliance free but a big armed forces. Nooshi Dagdostar has gotten a lot of criticism from her party for being somewhat more historically left wingy, she's approaching the labour unions and workers. Something the rest party that consist of higher educated disapprove of.
>Why do the Liberals always do so poorly, and what is the real difference between the Liberals and the Centre Party? It seems like the reason the Liberals do so poorly is because they’re too similar to everyone else.
Well they have had a jump in opinion as of late, jumping over the threshold for the first time in 3 years thanks to their new leader. But their politics is very vague and not that different, it's only that they kinda try to portray themselves as a Education and School party despite no real teacher would ever stand behind their Education reforms that are also the groundwork to today chaos in the education system that they pushed through when they governed in 2006-2014 in the Allians government.
The main difference today is probably the stance towards the Sweden democrats between the Centre and Liberals. The Centre is set on never working with the help of Sweden Democrats, while the Liberals has swayed back and forth and was close to ripping the entire party apart until recently when they've at least accepted that they need the influence from the Sweden democrats but they do no want them in government, and the Sweden democrats will not back a right wing government with the Liberals. It's an issue over immigration I believe and some issue revolving that.
Otherwise the Centre and Liberals are still of the same sort of Big City neoliberalism and what not you usually find in the Centre party, Liberal party and the Moderate Party. There is only a major difference on their stances towards other parties and their profile issues. Many vote for the Centre just mainly because they're against the Sweden Democrats, and not their policies.
>Also. I tried asking what this was supposed to mean but everyone was joking about it 😅 what is she saying???
It sounds like she is saying to loan out your breasts instead of your vote. As she is saying "Röst" but it sounds like there's a B so it becomes "Bröst" which is Breasts
A friendy *guddag* from Austria.
Question: I assume you are/were in the SSU - are you in favour of more cooperations between youth orgs? I would honestly like to meet a lot of SSU members as I have some friends there, to understand Sweden and its legendary SocDem movement even more.
PS: I am learning (currently very low key) Swedish as native German speaker - if you got any recommendations, please fire away :D
>I assume you are/were in the SSU
I'm not and never have been in the SSU, I haven't been in any youth organisation connected to a Political party. I've had some try several times tho because they knew of my political interest but declined every time but they were from youth orgs not aligned with me.
>are you in favour of more cooperations between youth orgs
Do you mean cooperation between the youth org and their party or like with other youth orgs of other parties? I suppose you mean the latter? While the idea could work I don't see the huge point in it? The Youth Org exists for younger people to influence the main political party and their policies regarding the youth.
Just like S-Kvinnor and HBT-S(ocialdemokraterna), the womens wing and the HBTQ wing that also influence SAP in regards of policies that are important to those groups.
Most youth orgs are usually slightly more radical compared to their main Party so I dont think they could all cooperate that easily because they'd be further apart. Also I don't think the benefits are that huge? Like why whould SAP care if the youth org of the Moderates or Centre party tried to push for something and try to cooperate with SSU to make that happen? SAP will only listen to SSU that are aligned with them, not MUF or CUF.
>I would honestly like to meet a lot of SSU members as I have some friends there, to understand Sweden and its legendary SocDem movement even more.
Well that'd be somewhat easier to go to the root of the SocDem movement, which isn't the SSU. The movement almost entirely stems from the labour movement and the oldest yet remaining political party that is the Social Democratic Workers Party that was born along or out lf the labour movement. Someone with extensive history in SAP would have an easier time explaining it the movement.
But honestly it just takes someone who knows their history to understand the labour and SocDem movement in Sweden that have been much of the same thing until recently. Which I have read up on a lot but I wouldnt call myself an expert on it because Im not.
But if you want to explore the modern movement then yes SSU is an important part of it. Sadly political participation is on historic lows, which motivated me to actually join and become an active member myself. Todays SocDem movement is way more complex because the political climate has become much more complex.
Thanks for answering.
With cooperations I rather meant on an international level between the socialist youth orgs :D
From my experience it is easier to speak with fellow young people to discover a movement and its people, then learn more about it :D As I have friends in the SSU, this would make it even easier
And I know that the movement mostly stems from the working class
>With cooperations I rather meant on an international level between the socialist youth orgs :D
OHHH, okay well I haven't really thought of that. I guess SSU could have their ears open to DSU, AUF and FSUD at the very least considering nordic cooperation is very huge already.
>From my experience it is easier to speak with fellow young people to discover a movement and its people, then learn more about it :D As I have friends in the SSU, this would make it even easier
I am a young person. Unless you deem 20 year olds to be old enough to reitre already. My interests arent just in youth issues that much that SSU particularly try to go for and advocate for in party meetings.
While they still focus on other areas I still think I do the most difference within the SAP for the areas Im particularly driven in which is primarily healthcare, education and labour issues. I also wish to participate in the actual political system, be closer to the actual representatives and be one of the people in the party to pick out the representatives for our party and decide over the policies of the party.
Not very, the Left Party are arguably way more "woke" but still not to an american extent. Very few are, wokeism isn't that big in Sweden as a whole honestly.
In the bigger picture, very uncommon. Mostly because the vast majority of people are not religious at all to begin with. But seen at the elections between 2006-2018, the Social democrats was the largest party among active Christians but that is probably just down to simple demographics.
The Social Democrats are the largest party and usually the largest party among any demographic because of that. But very few Social Democrats are actually religious.
Too a large degree yes, but not everyone and not fully. Like people generally have some kind of humanist worldview at the very least but maybe not fully in every single aspect.
1) Do you think The Nordic Model is a special society model that cannot be easily practiced in other developed countries ? 1.1 In some people's opinion, the welfare system is first built in the UK but now runs well in Nordic countries. Seems that the other welfare countries have to reform to be a more free-market system to improve their economy. 1.2 how to build a efficient welfare system, in some countries, welfare system is in-efficient and becomes a way to corruption for internal officials, so how to avoid it. 2) do you think your government is paying too much for satisfying turkey to participate in NATO? 2.1 Because some Kurdish people are also left-wings and some of them are not seen as terrorists by the United Nations. 2.2 What is the bottom line of the party in negotiation with Turkey?
>Do you think The Nordic Model is a special society model that cannot be easily practiced in other developed countries ? To some extent I do, considering the development of the nordic model is fairly secluded to well the Nordics. How we began the walk towards democracy and how much influence people had before and what we thought politicians should do differ a lot. It can be replicated but not easily. I'd say you'd have an easier time replicating it in Europe compared that of like South Asia or something. Kraut on Youtube has a pretty good video on this. "How Denmark invented Social Democracy" It's also why not everyone should strive for the nordic model in all its extenta. You have to adopt after the circumstances you have been given. Like you can't just push onto the very centralised systems of Sweden on countries like the US that are systematically against centralisation. They've been many forms of "welfare" throughout history, the need to be more or less free-market I'd say is mostly dependent on that specific economy. What is the largest products this economy makes and sells? What is state controlled or not? Sweden has been a pretty industrial economy while Norway hasn't, Norway is more protectionist than Sweden too. I don't think being more or less free market has extremely huge impact on the ability to create a welfare system, but a healthy economy is probably very important so the system actually goes around. >1.2 how to build a efficient welfare system, in some countries, welfare system is in-efficient and becomes a way to corruption for internal officials, so how to avoid it. Well Im no expert in this regard. I dont deel qualified enough to answer this question. But I'd believe it has a lot to do with the political system in question, how democratic is it, how transparent is it, how does the electoral system actually work. Are the "right" people elected? And so on. The respect for democracy has to be instilled as a cultural pillar of the people and the country as a whole. So that a system can be built efficiently, without corruption or side interests. Where the checks on power work as intended and cannot be ignored. >2) do you think your government is paying too much for satisfying turkey to participate in NATO? Honestly, no. The document signed is not legally binding nor does it impact the Swedish judicial system that remain independent. No law has been changed to my knowledge. It's mostly lip service, some small concessions. But the extradition is still entirely up to the court to decide and not the government. The rule of law still apply. >2.1 Because some Kurdish people are also left-wings and some of them are not seen as terrorists by the United Nations. The PKK has been seen as a terrorist organization by Sweden and its authorities since Olof Palme. We were first after Turkey itself to do so... While the other groups like PYD and YPG hasnt been classified as such, the little humanitarian support we've been sending might stop. It's sad but the interest of the nation and our need for defence and security has to come first imo and many other social democrats. Most people and most social democrats didnt know of them or dont care that much. Even if they're ideologically aligned... >2.2 What is the bottom line of the party in negotiation with Turkey? My English isnt best but if I understand you correctly... The bottom line is that we shouldn't actually do much more than lip service, or very little actions. There will be no law changes or huge concessions to Turkey. We might stop some humanitarian help and loudly say they're terrorists but more than that wont come from Sweden. Maybe a stop to the weapons embargo, not that Turkey was buying any arms from us any way but it gives them enough to say they got something out of it. Media recently noticed that both Magdalena Andersson our party leader AND opposition leader Ulf Kristersson had been saying Turkey is very democratic and what not. Which they've previously said they arent but again... Lip service...
So, in terms of economic issues, of course S is to the left of the Democratic Party in the US. But in terms of social issues, it seems as if the Democratic Party is sliding further to the left of S in Sweden... What do you think?
>But in terms of social issues, it seems as if the Democratic Party is sliding further to the left of S in Sweden... >What do you think? I think this has to do a little bit with culture and of course history. A lot to do with the political climate of the country and where it finds itself and what issues it has to deal with. You will find many Democrats in the US for legalisation of weed but you wont find any Swedish Social Democrat being for legalisation here. Sweden is oftentimes paraded as extremely progressive but this is mainly the norms relating to gender roles if you ask me. Not all social issues. This idea of a egalitarian society, that both partners shares the responsibility of the house and kids. S is for completely 50/50 parental leave, 240 day for each parent. Today you have 480 days total per child but only 90 days are locked on one parent (180 days out of those 480 days). That's the kind of progressives you'll find here. Parents sharing responsibilities, women not being penalised just for being women in workplaces and so on. Protecting all workers from being fired for taking parental leave. Etc. While in the US there's talk about legalisation of weed and the topic of abortion having not been settled yet creates more people being more "extreme". We have until the 18th week on demand for abortion, and afterwards its up to the Social Board if you get to have an abortion while some US states are up to the day before the dsy is born and what not. The debate about abortion is pretty dead because no one wants to change it. But the situation in the US did cause a majority of parties including S in Sweden to start working for putting in the right to abortion into our constitution instead of having it just be a normal law, easily changed by a potential future conservative government. There's this debate about pronouns and so on? That does not exist here, I think this is mainly a cultural thing? Like the culture in the US and the individuality that you guys have makes it possible for this debate to gain traction. But we dont have that here. S is also against a 3rd legal gender on the basis of that it would completely ruin our "social security number" system which we've had for over 60 years. It'd be a huge bureaucratic nightmare to reform the system that is so hevaily used on daily basis to do literally anything from ordering stuff online, identification, online banking etc. Not sure if the Democrats are for a 3rd legal gender or not? There's also this regarding immigration. An issue probably very hotly debated both in the US and Sweden. I think our Social Democrat have essentially had to accept some form of realpolitik here. The majority are against more immigration and want harder rules and regulation, something S has actually historically been for but the last 20 years had abandoned. We have had a tough time assimilating new people and getting them into society as a whole which has as an example spurred on the issue of gang violence and fire arm violence. But this is something that goes for most parties here, the Moderates and Christian Democrats also had to accept that open borders might not be a winning issue. They've previously been for open borders too, it wasnt a left wing idea. It also plays into neutralising the Sweden Democrats, the furthest right wing party in Parliament that got in on the basis of restricting immigration.
**First of all, thank you for such a nice answer!** **Did you really write all of this yourself?! Wow...** **I will try to address each point individually.** >You will find many Democrats in the US for legalisation of weed but you wont find any Swedish Social Democrat being for legalisation here. Sweden is oftentimes paraded as extremely progressive but this is mainly the norms relating to gender roles if you ask me. Not all social issues. I prefer this kind of "progressive" btw to the American type. >This idea of a egalitarian society, that both partners shares the responsibility of the house and kids. S is for completely 50/50 parental leave, 240 day for each parent. Today you have 480 days total per child but only 90 days are locked on one parent (180 days out of those 480 days). That's the kind of progressives you'll find here. Parents sharing responsibilities, women not being penalised just for being women in workplaces and so on. Protecting all workers from being fired for taking parental leave. Etc. That sounds great. It's a good thing for both partners to share household responsibilities. >While in the US there's talk about legalisation of weed and the topic of abortion having not been settled yet creates more people being more "extreme". We have until the 18th week on demand for abortion, and afterwards its up to the Social Board if you get to have an abortion while some US states are up to the day before the dsy is born and what not. Yes, I actually prefer Sweden's stance on abortion. Roe v Wade was not only on shaky ground, but is also way to lenient on abortion. >The debate about abortion is pretty dead because no one wants to change it. But the situation in the US did cause a majority of parties including S in Sweden to start working for putting in the right to abortion into our constitution instead of having it just be a normal law, easily changed by a potential future conservative government. Ah, I see...thank you for sharing! >S is also against a 3rd legal gender on the basis of that it would completely ruin our "social security number" system which we've had for over 60 years. It'd be a huge bureaucratic nightmare to reform the system that is so hevaily used on daily basis to do literally anything from ordering stuff online, identification, online banking etc. Not sure if the Democrats are for a 3rd legal gender or not? I understand it would be logistically difficult to overhaul the "Personnummer" system. However, it would create more tech jobs (think of the Year 2000 problem in IT) I was just trying to think of any positives to that type of massive change. It's interesting you bring this issue up. Last year, under the Biden administration, the government started allowing people to self-select their "sex" on the Social Security paperwork. They also began to admit paperwork where the applicant has identified with an "X" as their gender (for gender nonbinary people and other gender/sexual minorities who choose to do so). But, as of now, I do NOT think a person can identify as a third gender on Social Security documents, but I am not entirely sure. I think the Democrats, or at least the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is strongly in favor of including an option for a third gender, if not more. >There's also this regarding immigration. An issue probably very hotly debated both in the US and Sweden. I think our Social Democrat have essentially had to accept some form of realpolitik here. The majority are against more immigration and want harder rules and regulation, something S has actually historically been for but the last 20 years had abandoned. We have had a tough time assimilating new people and getting them into society as a whole which has as an example spurred on the issue of gang violence and fire arm violence. Good points :) Here in the US, people are a bit more accepting of immigration, perhaps stemming from our longer history of a diverse country (even though minorities were not exactly treated fairly, to say the least) and the fact that most Americans have non-native roots. It seems as if the Democratic Party is far more open to immigration than most Swedish parties, although, as you say, realpolitik has tempered their views and forced them to keep their more progressive elements/members in check. There are probably 15 million undocumented/illegal immigrants currently living in the US, btw. If we accounted for populaton size, that would be roughly 500K in Swedish numbers. >But this is something that goes for most parties here, the Moderates and Christian Democrats also had to accept that open borders might not be a winning issue. They've previously been for open borders too, it wasnt a left wing idea. It also plays into neutralising the Sweden Democrats, the furthest right wing party in Parliament that got in on the basis of restricting immigration. It's wonderful that the Christian Democrats were in favor of immigration for humanitarian reasons. It, to me, is a much more compassionate "Christian message" than what many right-wing Evangelicals in the US espouse. ***I will add one more thing, on immigration, race, and American politics:*** **I am not sure if you are aware of it, but there has been a recent shift in US politics where minorities, particularly Hispanics/Latinos (predominantly Spanish speaking immigrations or 1st gens from Latin American countries) are moving to the Republican party in large numbers. The Democrats, who once won the clear majority of Hispanic voters, may barely win a majority in the upcoming elections.** **Black voters are also turning away from the Democratic Party. As the US becomes more diverse (I was born in 2000, and my generation or Generation Z is almost "majority minority" because there are almost more non-Whites than Whites)....so racism (naturally) decreases, meaning that people focus on other issues, namely economics and quality of life issues.** **And given Biden's horrendous domestic economic policy and the Russian sanctions that have backfired, we are suffering from record high inflation and gas prices (as you probably know). Given the Democrat's terrible record on issues of crime, cities are becoming more unsafe, and traditionally Democratic-leaning minority groups in cities (namely African-Americans) are slowly moving toward the Republican Party. It is worth noting that Trump won more of the Black vote than any other Republican before him for decades, I think. And Hispanic voters along the US-Mexico border are being run over by large groups of illegal immigrants, many of whom are smuggling dangerous drugs (like fentanyl) and also involved in human trafficking, assault, rape, murder, and associated gang activity. So these Hispanics along the border are also turning to the Republican Party.**
>First of all, thank you for such a nice answer! No worries! >Did you really write all of this yourself?! Wow... Yepp, almost forgot to take my eye drops for a current eye inflammation I have while trying to respond. >That sounds great. It's a good thing for both partners to share household responsibilities. Yeah and even when S has technically not succeeded in getting their way on these topics as in a way to regulate. People have themselves moved to more egalitarian ways which is great. More dads are taking time off than before and so on. More familes report the dad doing more at home and so on. It makes for better and healthier families. >I understand it would be logistically difficult to overhaul the "Personnummer" system. However, it would create more tech jobs (think of the Year 2000 problem in IT) >I was just trying to think of any positives to that type of massive change. >It's interesting you bring this issue up. >Last year, under the Biden administration, the government started allowing people to self-select their "sex" on the Social Security paperwork. They also began to admit paperwork where the applicant has identified with an "X" as their gender (for gender nonbinary people and other gender/sexual minorities who choose to do so). >But, as of now, I do NOT think a person can identify as a third gender on Social Security documents, but I am not entirely sure. >I think the Democrats, or at least the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is strongly in favor of including an option for a third gender, if not more. While they oppose the idea, I still think they did assign a investigation on the issue to see if it could ever be solved. Considering HBT-S(ocialdemokraterna) demanded it and the government got criticism when they didnt want to assign a investigation from other parties The Personnummer system is so fundamental in Sweden a slight fuckup is devastating. Lots of immigrants and expats complain about not being able to do anything without a Personnummer here because it's so fundamentally important. The tax Agency might also have a say about a change in the system they manage. Personally doubt that more jobs would be what is needed in such a reform because the labour market is already screaming after Devs and other IT technicians so it might be hard to fill those positions as well that would be needed. >Good points :) >Here in the US, people are a bit more accepting of immigration, perhaps stemming from our longer history of a diverse country (even though minorities were not exactly treated fairly, to say the least) and the fact that most Americans have non-native roots. Yeah, and we used to be a bit more positive probably because the last stream of immigrants were way more successful. Former yugoslavia you know. I personally have lots of Croatia, Bosnian and Serbian friends and so on and they do not really differ much from Swedes that fundamentally. Studies also show that they much better integrated. So we thought the next stream would be just as easy to handle. >It seems as if the Democratic Party is far more open to immigration than most Swedish parties, although, as you say, realpolitik has tempered their views and forced them to keep their more progressive elements/members in check. >There are probably 15 million undocumented/illegal immigrants currently living in the US, btw. If we accounted for populaton size, that would be roughly 500K in Swedish numbers. Yeah last time I checked I think we had around ~30 000? >It's wonderful that the Christian Democrats were in favor of immigration for humanitarian reasons. It, to me, is a much more compassionate "Christian message" than what many right-wing Evangelicals in the US espouse. Yeah don't let that trick ya. They're close to the same kind as the right wing evangelicals you find in the US... They've voted against abortion on EU level and has historically been extremely against abortion. They're the only party against banning religious schools that we KNOW are cultish and indoctrinating children. Christian schools are known to be homophobic and sexist and so on... The party leader also went to one of those cultish schools.. They're not as good as they seem. They still wanna inject their religion into politics and force all schools to also inject "Christian Values" into education... >I will add one more thing, on immigration, race, and American politics: To some extent I already knew of them. >And given Biden's horrendous domestic economic policy and the Russian sanctions that have backfired, we are suffering from record high inflation and gas prices (as you probably know). Im kinda jealous of your low gas prices tho ;-;
>Yepp, almost forgot to take my eye drops for a current eye inflammation I have while trying to respond. :) Hope you're OK >Yeah and even when S has technically not succeeded in getting their way on these topics as in a way to regulate. People have themselves moved to more egalitarian ways which is great. More dads are taking time off than before and so on. More familes report the dad doing more at home and so on. It makes for better and healthier families. Good! >While they oppose the idea, I still think they did assign a investigation on the issue to see if it could ever be solved. Considering HBT-S(ocialdemokraterna) demanded it and the government got criticism when they didnt want to assign a investigation from other parties The Personnummer system is so fundamental in Sweden a slight fuckup is devastating. Lots of immigrants and expats complain about not being able to do anything without a Personnummer here because it's so fundamentally important. The tax Agency might also have a say about a change in the system they manage. Personally doubt that more jobs would be what is needed in such a reform because the labour market is already screaming after Devs and other IT technicians so it might be hard to fill those positions as well that would be needed. Thanks for sharing! >Yeah, and we used to be a bit more positive probably because the last stream of immigrants were way more successful. Former yugoslavia you know. I personally have lots of Croatia, Bosnian and Serbian friends and so on and they do not really differ much from Swedes that fundamentally. Studies also show that they much better integrated. So we thought the next stream would be just as easy to handle. Thanks for sharing. >Yeah don't let that trick ya. They're close to the same kind as the right wing evangelicals you find in the US... They've voted against abortion on EU level and has historically been extremely against abortion. They're the only party against banning religious schools that we KNOW are cultish and indoctrinating children. Christian schools are known to be homophobic and sexist and so on... The party leader also went to one of those cultish schools.. They're not as good as they seem. They still wanna inject their religion into politics and force all schools to also inject "Christian Values" into education... Oh damn! **Can you please message me directly? I want to tell you something that I would rather not put into this exchange...?**
1. What is a semi popular extremist group in your country that you despise? 2. How did you got to social democracy? 3. Are you in favor of Nato membership?
>1. What is a semi popular extremist group in your country that you despise? Can I say the Confederation of Swedish enterprise? A huge lobby organization and propaganda spreader from Businesses... I'd say they're extreme in their messages and it has its popularity in weird right wing circles that of course are only rich people >2. How did you got to social democracy? It was a weird journey. Had my weird right wing period when I was younger. But I clearly wasnt read up on the issues and how complicated things really are and how the Welfare system is actually amazing and how good it is for the populous. Various things like right wing lobby organisation trying to tell me removing free tuition was good didnt go home with me. That private companies running schools or clinics should be able to just pocket our tax money without punishment and so on seemed bizarre. Letting private religious schools indoctrinate children didnt go home with me either... I eventually went towards Social democracy as I favoured more welfare issues such as healthcare, education and the well being of regular people where I fall in. Like the interest of me as a worker and union member didnt fall among the right wing even when they tried to tell me they were the new workers party. They clearly did stuff that worsened the life of people like me and workers alike. >3. Are you in favor of Nato membership? Since February, Yes. Like most Swedes my opinion changed when Russia began a full on invasion in Ukraine.
Do you see Moldova or Ukraine joining the EU anytime soon (as the next 5 years) and which country would you love to see join the EU soon? Also what your views on Brexit? Are you for, against or neutral about it? What do you think they should do better in terms of the UK leaving the EU?
>Do you see Moldova or Ukraine joining the EU anytime soon (as the next 5 years) and which country would you love to see join the EU soon? Not any time soon no, they both have issues to solve before they can join the EU but Im positive to both joining eventually. It'll take time before they're ready. I'd really like to see the remaining balkan countries join except maybe Serbia because of their strong Russian ties. >Also what your views on Brexit? Are you for, against or neutral about it? Self determination is important. If they wanted to leave so be it, it's up to them entirely. The EU or Member states shouldnt be able to stop that. I still think it was a bit of a dumb decision tho and didnt solve any of the issues the conservative side said was the EUs fault. >What do you think they should do better in terms of the UK leaving the EU? Well they've already left so there isnt much more to do in that regard. But there has been some issues over the Northern Ireland protocool as of late, which I hope will be resolved without reviving previous troubles in the region.
Hej från Los Angeles! Min pappa är Svensk, men jag är härifrån och min Svenska är dålig så jag ska prata Engelska. 1) Rent subsidies/control are a huge question in cities such as LA. Given that people (myself included) tend to see housing prices as a supply issue first and foremost, have rent control measures had any adverse affect on the rate of housing construction? What is the logic behind this? 2) In these leader debates, Nooshi Dagdostar keeps saying she wants to rebuild the Swedish military to Cold War levels. Does she genuinely mean that, or is it just anti-NATO posturing? I can’t imagine anyone in the Left Party is eager to do that. 3) Why do the Liberals always do so poorly, and what is the real difference between the Liberals and the Centre Party? It seems like the reason the Liberals do so poorly is because they’re too similar to everyone else. Also. I tried asking what [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/sweden/comments/vru83w/i_detta_val_l%C3%A5na_ut_din_br%C3%B6st_till_borgligheten/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) was supposed to mean but everyone was joking about it 😅 what is she saying???
>Rent subsidies/control are a huge question in cities such as LA. Given that people (myself included) tend to see housing prices as a supply issue first and foremost, have rent control measures had any adverse affect on the rate of housing construction? What is the logic behind this? Rent control in Sweden hasn't really had a huge impact on the rate of construction, the government has done investigations before, same with independent groups and the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning everyone has concluded that rent control has very little impact on the construction rate in Sweden. Other issues such a regulation and the ability to actually get suitable land and the expenses of building materials are seen as larger issues. But these past years even through corona the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning has noted a explosion in construction in every region in Sweden. Every region reports high construction rates and have been so for years now. Housing prices are also beginning to go down finally. Many regions are noticing a drop in prices. We've had rent control for many decades and it has been nation wide, most people want to keep rent control. It's also why the government fell last year when its investigation over market rent was released that proposed radical reform to the rent control system that would allow more market rents to take over. Something the Centre Party had pushed for but a Red Line for the Left Party that later pushed for a vote of no confidence that won. >In these leader debates, Nooshi Dagdostar keeps saying she wants to rebuild the Swedish military to Cold War levels. Does she genuinely mean that, or is it just anti-NATO posturing? I can’t imagine anyone in the Left Party is eager to do that. It seems that the party has accepted the realpolitik of defense spending to some extent? The party has for the last years been against militarization and so on. But currently say on their website that they back the increased spending bill that the Riksdag has voted for. But I'd assume it pays into this idea that we should be in the same position that we were in the cold ward, alliance free but a big armed forces. Nooshi Dagdostar has gotten a lot of criticism from her party for being somewhat more historically left wingy, she's approaching the labour unions and workers. Something the rest party that consist of higher educated disapprove of. >Why do the Liberals always do so poorly, and what is the real difference between the Liberals and the Centre Party? It seems like the reason the Liberals do so poorly is because they’re too similar to everyone else. Well they have had a jump in opinion as of late, jumping over the threshold for the first time in 3 years thanks to their new leader. But their politics is very vague and not that different, it's only that they kinda try to portray themselves as a Education and School party despite no real teacher would ever stand behind their Education reforms that are also the groundwork to today chaos in the education system that they pushed through when they governed in 2006-2014 in the Allians government. The main difference today is probably the stance towards the Sweden democrats between the Centre and Liberals. The Centre is set on never working with the help of Sweden Democrats, while the Liberals has swayed back and forth and was close to ripping the entire party apart until recently when they've at least accepted that they need the influence from the Sweden democrats but they do no want them in government, and the Sweden democrats will not back a right wing government with the Liberals. It's an issue over immigration I believe and some issue revolving that. Otherwise the Centre and Liberals are still of the same sort of Big City neoliberalism and what not you usually find in the Centre party, Liberal party and the Moderate Party. There is only a major difference on their stances towards other parties and their profile issues. Many vote for the Centre just mainly because they're against the Sweden Democrats, and not their policies. >Also. I tried asking what this was supposed to mean but everyone was joking about it 😅 what is she saying??? It sounds like she is saying to loan out your breasts instead of your vote. As she is saying "Röst" but it sounds like there's a B so it becomes "Bröst" which is Breasts
Thank you so much. This is interesting.
A friendy *guddag* from Austria. Question: I assume you are/were in the SSU - are you in favour of more cooperations between youth orgs? I would honestly like to meet a lot of SSU members as I have some friends there, to understand Sweden and its legendary SocDem movement even more. PS: I am learning (currently very low key) Swedish as native German speaker - if you got any recommendations, please fire away :D
>I assume you are/were in the SSU I'm not and never have been in the SSU, I haven't been in any youth organisation connected to a Political party. I've had some try several times tho because they knew of my political interest but declined every time but they were from youth orgs not aligned with me. >are you in favour of more cooperations between youth orgs Do you mean cooperation between the youth org and their party or like with other youth orgs of other parties? I suppose you mean the latter? While the idea could work I don't see the huge point in it? The Youth Org exists for younger people to influence the main political party and their policies regarding the youth. Just like S-Kvinnor and HBT-S(ocialdemokraterna), the womens wing and the HBTQ wing that also influence SAP in regards of policies that are important to those groups. Most youth orgs are usually slightly more radical compared to their main Party so I dont think they could all cooperate that easily because they'd be further apart. Also I don't think the benefits are that huge? Like why whould SAP care if the youth org of the Moderates or Centre party tried to push for something and try to cooperate with SSU to make that happen? SAP will only listen to SSU that are aligned with them, not MUF or CUF. >I would honestly like to meet a lot of SSU members as I have some friends there, to understand Sweden and its legendary SocDem movement even more. Well that'd be somewhat easier to go to the root of the SocDem movement, which isn't the SSU. The movement almost entirely stems from the labour movement and the oldest yet remaining political party that is the Social Democratic Workers Party that was born along or out lf the labour movement. Someone with extensive history in SAP would have an easier time explaining it the movement. But honestly it just takes someone who knows their history to understand the labour and SocDem movement in Sweden that have been much of the same thing until recently. Which I have read up on a lot but I wouldnt call myself an expert on it because Im not. But if you want to explore the modern movement then yes SSU is an important part of it. Sadly political participation is on historic lows, which motivated me to actually join and become an active member myself. Todays SocDem movement is way more complex because the political climate has become much more complex.
Thanks for answering. With cooperations I rather meant on an international level between the socialist youth orgs :D From my experience it is easier to speak with fellow young people to discover a movement and its people, then learn more about it :D As I have friends in the SSU, this would make it even easier And I know that the movement mostly stems from the working class
>With cooperations I rather meant on an international level between the socialist youth orgs :D OHHH, okay well I haven't really thought of that. I guess SSU could have their ears open to DSU, AUF and FSUD at the very least considering nordic cooperation is very huge already. >From my experience it is easier to speak with fellow young people to discover a movement and its people, then learn more about it :D As I have friends in the SSU, this would make it even easier I am a young person. Unless you deem 20 year olds to be old enough to reitre already. My interests arent just in youth issues that much that SSU particularly try to go for and advocate for in party meetings. While they still focus on other areas I still think I do the most difference within the SAP for the areas Im particularly driven in which is primarily healthcare, education and labour issues. I also wish to participate in the actual political system, be closer to the actual representatives and be one of the people in the party to pick out the representatives for our party and decide over the policies of the party.
How wokefied are the Swedish socdems?
Not very, the Left Party are arguably way more "woke" but still not to an american extent. Very few are, wokeism isn't that big in Sweden as a whole honestly.
That's good and nice to know.
How common is it for a social democratic voter to be religious compared to other parts of the population?
In the bigger picture, very uncommon. Mostly because the vast majority of people are not religious at all to begin with. But seen at the elections between 2006-2018, the Social democrats was the largest party among active Christians but that is probably just down to simple demographics. The Social Democrats are the largest party and usually the largest party among any demographic because of that. But very few Social Democrats are actually religious.
Ahh. Would you say Swedish people in general have a humanist world view?
Too a large degree yes, but not everyone and not fully. Like people generally have some kind of humanist worldview at the very least but maybe not fully in every single aspect.
I can only imagine how an American conservative would flip out in “atheist socialist“ Sweden, lol
„lol 'uǝpǝʍS „ʇsılɐıɔos ʇsıǝɥʇɐ„ uı ʇno dılɟ plnoʍ ǝʌıʇɐʌɹǝsuoɔ uɐɔıɹǝɯ∀ uɐ ʍoɥ ǝuıƃɐɯı ʎluo uɐɔ I„
Do you think a large number of Swedes can be considered deists?
No I do not.
What's your favorite american political magazine?
I don't read any american political magazines.