Explaining Finnish Economic and Social Success - And Happiness

• Authors: Jan Otto Andersson

Abstracts

EN

This article explores the reasons behind the high economic and social rankings for Finland. It also reflects on why Finland is considered the “happiest” country in the world (according to a World Happiness Report). Using empirical data from two studies - an article comparing high-andlow-tax countries, and the aforementioned recent World Happiness Report - it compares Finland with its Nordic neighbours and other Western, especially Anglo-American, countries. The essay outlines a so-called “Finnish model' and looks for the roots of this model. Comparing measures in several dimensions - effort, culture, institutions, and economic and social outcomes - the essay tries to find characteristics that are particular for Finland. Education, innovation, and economic security, as well as trust, gender equality, resilient conflict solutions, and geo-historical luck, are crucial to Finland's success. Three notable Germans - Luther, Hegel, and Marx - have influenced Finnish culture and society in different ways. Is Finland the country that comes closest to the ideal - “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” (Marx, 1875).

Keywords

EN

Finland; International Rankings; Competitiveness; Happiness; Geo-historical Impacts

• Publisher: Centre for Europe, University of Warsaw
• Journal: Studia Europejskie-Studies in European Affairs
• Year: 2022
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 177-198

Dates

published

2022

Contributors

author

Jan Otto Andersson

• Åbo Akademi University

• https://orcid.org/0000000266966014

References

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Identifiers

DOI

10.33067/SE.4.2022.7

Biblioteka Nauki

2189668