Log in

View Full Version : Swedish socialism



Geddan
4th December 2002, 09:19
First I have to say that this site is awesome! A waterhole for people like me, who thinks (almost) as me and who talks and walks like me! My friend told me about this and I am pleased :)

Well now, my first topic here is about the Swedish socialism. For something like 70 years, with short pauses, has the Swedish sociodemocratic party been responsible for the rule of Sweden. It was formed by workers (The full name is "The Sociodemocratic Workers' party) as the political branch of a union called LO. For the first few decades it existed it was a defender of people's rights and a party which stood up against the world's super powers. The party's men were tough, and they reformed Sweden in several democratic ways, like women's suffrage, health care for all, and so on. However, seasons change.

For some years now, the politicans have lost their nerve. They are no longer speaking for Sweden's interests or the poor's interests, but for the US and the capitalist Europe. Since we joined the European Union (?), a lot of the power which was in the parliament and in the government has slipped to Bruxelles, and a new constitutional change made the European Union (?) able to decide what to do in security questions and foreign questions. I don't like the power being at the hands of a few people in the parliament, but if power only exist in Bruxelles as an elite project which stops the decentralization of power and puts it all in Belgium, I hate it. And what pisses me off more is that the people didn't have a clue about this constitutional change before it was through! That made me so angry I could go smash a Microsoft store. The "socialist" politicians now decide for us, without us being able to interfere. How the heck can we end this centralization of power and put it in the people's hands? We ain't having a strong true socialist movement here, everybody who was a socialist went "bourgeoise left", which means that the government doesn't really care anymore about workers' rights, and that the government exist to defend the bourgeoise (sorry for the spelling). The Socialist government in Sweden has gone liberal cappies, and no longer are the workers the most important!

I say that as soon as I and a few friends can organize ourself, and when we've taken care of the problems around the world, that we "do something about it", be it violent or not.

Edelweiss
4th December 2002, 14:32
Believe me, the socialist elements in European states states like Germany and Sweden will be more and more reduced. That's one reality of the neo-liberal globalisation, governmental welfare means higher "associated employer outlay" means disadvnatage for the country as business location. Neo-liberal "reforms" will more and turn the west-European welfare states into states with a predator capitalism like there is in the US.

Geddan
4th December 2002, 18:37
I am very well aware of that. The people with the power will turn away from their former socialist ideals when they realize that the neoliberalism suit them well. I hate to say so but it is true.

The bad thing about revolting is that you sooner or later get a leader figure, and this leader thing can be misused if the one at that position isn't the idealist he claimed to be. A revolutionary council led by representatives elected is a much better choice, but one must be able to put a new representative in place of the old at any time.

IRANeAZAD5
4th December 2002, 23:27
Ive visited sweden on acouple occassions and it is a beautiful country, they have bad attitudes towards tourists though.......

(Edited by IRANeAZAD5 at 11:30 pm on Dec. 4, 2002)

EricDHobo
4th December 2002, 23:40
I think that if the leader was given the power but not the special attention, housing, and wealth and was instead treated like any other laborer of the socialist country: he/she would have the same qualtity housing, food, income, and respect as the average worker of his/her country than they would only want to help the workers and noone would try to get into office to get ahead in life.

Geddan
5th December 2002, 07:58
Whoops, I'm sorry if the swedes have been bad towards you tourists...we tend to be open once you get to know us.

And EricDHobo, I agree, but is the leader character so very important?

deimos
5th December 2002, 10:29
For the people, the leader is very important.Every revolution has its leader/leaders.They are necassery to motivate the ppl.

RedScorpion
5th December 2002, 10:38
Yes, a strong leader with a strong personality gives a good fighting spirit among the people. But it's important that one man does not get too much power, power corrupts. (Example Soviet under Stalin)