If Swedish-style social democracy is the cure to the ills of American capitalism, as some US liberals maintain, then socialism is its only possible liberal and democratic outcome.
As we await the formation of the new Swedish government this week-end, one overriding issue and far too narrow an escape consumes the thoughts of an elder statesman.
The increasing political polarization, a problem of the entire western world, is based on misconceptions to which today's politicians find themselves without a solution.
The cleavage was between pleas to continue the work to reduce segregation and further equal rights and gender equality (jämlikhet och jämställdhet), and appeals to enforce security and law-and-order (lag och ordning).
Living for the most part in countries praised for their democratic system, the Saami population still feels threatened. Is this evidence that colonialism is hardly a thing of the past?
The UK media likes to blame far right gains elsewhere – as in Sweden’s recent election – on PR. In fact the evidence shows disproportional voting systems give more power to the extreme right.
With the media on their side, the SD has managed to persuade many unionised women in the health service that it is the only party for them. Does the mainstream know why?
