Review: The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life

The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life by Anu Partanen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was fascinating, and whether someone agrees or disagrees, it gives the reader a lot to think about.

Partanen did her research and backs up her unique perspective, having lived in both Finland and the U.S., with data. She believes the U.S. does a lot of things as the Nordic countries did years ago, and that we haven't advanced our policies to match current needs in society. As a result of deliberate policy decisions in Finland and other Nordic countries, the people are taken care of, and despite the opinion of those who call them "socialist nanny states," it is actually citizens of Nordic countries that are less reliant and more independent than those in the U.S. Their taxes and other shared contributions provide health care, education, day care, end of life care, none of which is dependent on your job or income. In Partanen's opinion, that gives them the freedom to pursue what makes them happy without worrying that they won't have funds for retirement or can't go home at night to have dinner with their children. They've designed things so that children are a priority and will always receiving schooling and health care. She contrasts this with life in the U.S., where it was hard to wrap her mind around paying her taxes, or where she had to do hours of research to choose an insurance plan. A Finnish student she knew was applying to college in the U.S. couldn't understand why he kept being asked about his parents income since, in Finland, his parents would have nothing to do with where or how he goes to college.

Certainly Partanen makes an excellent case for why the U.S. should consider moving towards some of the policies being used in Nordic countries. I would have liked to have seen a bit more objectivity and acknowledgement of the qualities that have made the U.S. a world power, producing some of the world's most educated, creative, inventive, compassionate, and forward-thinking people. And I think it would have been fair to examine some of the difficulties of like in Finland and other Nordic countries (she says taxes really aren't very high, but I suspect there's more to that). They tend to have depression and alcoholism problems (probably due to the environment), they learn to be so self-sufficient that they can be a bit cold and detached from those around them, their population is aging, and society teaches them to treat everyone the same way so much that they have difficulty seeing anyone (including themselves) as being special in any way.

But she made her point, and I learned a lot of things that have me thinking. This could be a great book club book for those who enjoy non-fiction (or a Scandanavian mystery book club that wants to put some background to their suspense!). You can't read this and not come away thinking more critically about you personally believe these issues should be addresssed.

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