What is a Nordic Model?
The internal compass, which is needed more than ever, even in the Nordic countries
Before we delve into the concept, it is important to mention that the real Nordic Model has nothing in common with the pseudo-Nordic supremacist ideology.
It is difficult to translate the essence of Nordic model into exact words however, there are certain unique characteristics that can be attributed only to a country or a society that practices the Nordic Model. Scandinavian countries are often displayed as the epitome of practicing the Nordic Model and a shallow understanding leads one to believe that it entails only the strong welfare and the high taxation. However, there are multiple other countries in/outside the Europe that have similar high taxation rate and yet have nothing in society that can be called practicing a Nordic Model.
The understanding of Nordic Model can be achieved by first realizing the pitfalls of capitalism and the havocs it brings on an individual’s psychological state. This is evident from the fact that many Americans either live permanently or seek refuge in the Indian subcontinent for a psychological retreat from the system. However, this turns out to be another trick in the sleeve of capitalism considering that ancient spiritual practices have been commodified and therefore, such refugee brings no real change in the lives of the ones that attempt to escape the system.
Nordic model has been a response to such psychological devastations caused by the commodification of nearly every aspect of an individual’s life which is primary aim of a capitalistic society. It has been practiced on an individual level by a set of guiding principles and on a societal level by providing a shield against capitalistic exploitations. At an individual level, it translates into a set of character traits akin to an ancient stoic philosophy and on a societal level it exhibits itself in the form of a strong welfare government that shields its citizens against the capitalistic exploitations.
As it was mentioned earlier that having a high taxation alone doesn’t yield a Nordic characteristics in the society. A society is a reflection of the collective conscious of the individuals that participate in it. If the individuals in the society lack the direction, it can be easily swayed by the authoritarian government and the same protective all well-wishing government can turn against their own citizens by becoming an Orwellian Nightmare. However, if the citizens are aware and know what is right for them and the society as whole then the government that is formed from such a collective is also going to be a service oriented rather than autocratic.
This internal compass is the key to forming a Nordic Model. All other symptoms (e.g. High taxation, strong welfare and state control) cannot be effective until the individuals practicing within the system have such a compass. The direction of this internal compass is towards goodness. The goodness can be defined as minimization of suffering and maximization of the wellbeing of the individual and the society. This internal compass is like the one preached by the ancient philosophers of Stoicism. It might be worth mentioning that this Stoicism is different from stoicism latter of which is a set of self-help practices and not a philosophy of life.
This internal compass also provides a unique outlook on the concept of equality as well. The concept of equality is often confused with being homogenous (i.e. in terms of physical and mental capacities). On the contrary, humans have differences within and across various populations. This diversity itself is the emblem of evolutionary exploration and therefore, it is important that it is preserved and cultivated. The equality then becomes an adaptive environment which nurtures and helps in the realization of the individual’s potential in society.
When all the members of the society have a strong direction based on the knowledge and wisdom then the society, as a whole has a clear direction which results in an overall betterment of the society. However, sadly, this sense of direction is getting evaporated and being replaced by nihilism and materialism, due to the influence of hyper capitalism and the social media. Therefore, it is ever more important to return to the basics and instill the internal compass in the young minds.