Course Title
“The Swedish Model: State, Market, and Consumers”
Professors
Morten Sorensen, Associate Professor of Finance
Hanne Pico Larsen, Clinical Professor
Dates
December 2024
Destination City
Stockholm and Gothenburg
Course Description
They gave us The Nobel Prize, Abba, IKEA , The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, not to forget Greta Thunberg. Sweden is the largest of the Nordic countries, and is often considered one of the world’s most peace loving, progressive yet successful democracies in the world. Sweden has a high standard of living due to a globally competitive and innovative economy. Sweden is diverse and egalitarian, and alongside it´s Nordic neighbors, Swedes are consistently ranked among the world’s happiest people. Sweden has an expansive government and extensive tax payer-financed welfare system. In addition, Swedes are on the forefront on any discussion about gender equality and sustainability—and they are immensely fashionable. What can we learn from Sweden? This GIX takes a critical look at Sweden and its welfare as well as its perception of democratic lifestyle branding, which is tied into ideas about equality, sustainability and traceability of raw material. You will return with a sense of why and how the Swedish model works, the challenges it faces, and whether it will remain sustainable and relevant as the world ventures further into the 21st century.