THE SWEDISH CULT OF AMERICA Part 1: “Warring for Peace in the Service of USA/NATO.” Sweden's pathological relationship to the USA has led the formerly peace-loving country to collaborate in so-called “humanitarian wars". På svenska: “Kriga för fred i USA/NATO:s tjänst”            THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING General introduction to the Nordic model of society, including its history, basic features and current challenges.                       DEATH OF A TROUBLESOME SOCIALIST After 25 years, the investigation into Olof Palme’s assassi- nation has not made much progress — possibly because it has been conducted by loyal colleagues of the assassins. (PDF: 600 KB)             THE LEGACY OF OLOF PALME On the political legacy of Olof Palme, and what has become of it since his assassination in 1986.      SWEDEN, ASSANGE and USA Sweden has requested the extradition of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange from the United Kingdom, after which it is almost a certainty that he would be turned over to the United States where he has been the target of hysterical accusations and violent threats. 28 December 2010. (PDF: 800 KB) NOTES ON THE 2010 SWEDISH ELECTION The election outcome signals the end of Social Democratic dominance in Swedish politics and, consequently, the demise of the Swedish model of society and foreign policy. (PDF: 360 KB)       WHAT TO LEARN FROM THE NORDIC MODEL? The social progress of the 20th century is now being reversed by a neo-liberal offensive that is steadily gaining strength. In order to halt that trend and restore the balance of power which is a precondition of the Nordic model, it is essential to renew the struggle against an aggressive and uncompromising elite. (PDF: 260 KB)       THE NORDIC ALTERNATIVE Proceedings of a seminar on the Nordic model's current challenges and future prospects. Keynote speaker Gösta Esping-Andersen is a leading authority on the gemeral-welfare state.        BETTER THAN MONEY Generally regarded as the richest country in the world, the USA ranks near the bottom when the weatlh of nations is measured in terms of "everything that makes life worthwhile". The Nordic countries rank at the top.       THE MARKET FOR SOCIAL INSECURITY An efficient national pension system that has helped to make Sweden's old folks among the most economically secure in the world has been replaced by a costly, elaborate construction which is almost certain to make the retirement years of future generations less secure.         SWEDISH FOREIGN POLICY Notes on the decline of Sweden's once enlightened and widely admired foreign policy.             COLOMBIAN 'DIPLOMAT' THREATENS SWEDISH LIVES Former head of intelligence at Colombia's Stockholm embassy aims death threats at journalist, Swedish and Colombian parliamentarians, and two solidarity organizations based in Sweden. (PDF: 140 KB)          GREAT EUROPEAN EXPECTATIONS Sweden joined the European Union in 1995, on the promise that it would remain a loose confederation of independent states. But powerful interests have steadily expanded the scope and authority of the EU at the expense of national integrity.         THREE TYPES OF EUROPEAN SOCIETY A large body of evidence clearly suggests that a strong state and a strong market reinforce each other.         PRIVATIZATION, TNCs & DEMOCRACY The public sector is everywhere under attack by the forces of neo-liberalism, including those which dominate the European Union. Current plans by the EU will lead to further privatization and transfer of power from democratic institutions to transnational corporations.         FROM SOLIDARITY TO PRIVATE INSURANCE The promotion of "diversity" in Swedish health care is likely to lead to full-scale privatization and the division of the populace into first- and second-class citizens. (In Swedish with summary in English)         SWEDISH NATIONAL ELECTION 2002 The general-welfare state received yet another vote of confidence, and the neo-liberal alternative was emphatically rejected. But that does not necessarily mean that the Swedes are going to get what they voted for.         IN DEFENCE OF GENERAL WELFARE "For the Welfare State" is the name of a broad coalition in Norway which seeks to reverse the trend toward "growing inequality, attacks on public services, and ruthless exploitation of the environment.”         NORDIC WELFARE IN A EUROPEAN CONTEXT A study of developments during the past two decades has found little evidence to suggest that the Nordic welfare states are becoming ”Europeanized”. The actual trend appears to be the reverse.