The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life

THE NORDIC THEORY OF EVERYTHING: In Search of a Better Lifeby Anu Partanen.Reviewed by C J Singh (Berkeley, California).A "Must-Read" Book.Noticing the high praise by Robert Reich, Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, I purchased a copy last week. Yesterday, at the Books Inc Store, Berkeley, I attended the author’s lively presentation. She answered audience questions with precise knowledge, concision, and grace. “THE NORDIC THEORY OF EVERYTHING: In Search of a Better Life," documented with more than 400 research citations and written in highly engaging style is an excellent example of lucid critical analysis.The widely held stereotype in the US of Nordic countries is that they are “nanny states” that discourage individuality and impose high taxes. In fact, the Nordic countries foster enhanced adult individuality by minimizing dependencies on family members and employers. And their Nordic countries' taxes are comparable to the US taxes.Just how they accomplish is convincingly detailed in the book.The subtitle “In Search of a Better Life” accurately describes the author’s view-point and tone. An immigrant to the US who arrived from Finland eight years ago, now in love with the country of her adoption, she is also proud of her heritage. Rightly so, the Nordic countries have been consistently top-ranked as the happiest. The US is not even in the top ten.Partanen offers suggestions based on the “The Nordic Theory of Love” (Chapter 2): for better “Family Values for Real" (Chapter 3); for children “Attaining Educational Success” (Chapter 4); for better health care “How Universal Health Care Could Set You Free” (Chapter 5). The titles and subtitles of the next four chapters are also equally apt: “Ask What Your Country Can Do for You”; “Bringing Back the American Dream”; “Business as Unusual: How to Run a Company in the Twenty-First Century”; “The Pursuit of Happiness: It’s Time to Rethink Success.”Recently, I posted an update of my review of the earlier edition of the most widely adopted college textbook in the US: Diane Hacker and Nancy Sumner’s “A Writer’s Reference: Eighth Edition.” Anu Partenen’s “THE NORDIC THEORY OF EVERYTHING: In Search of a Better Life” merits just as wide adoption for all college students.Not only for college students, I whole-heartedly recommend this book to all readers. (May I add thatafter having posted reviews of more than 120 books on amazon.com, this is the first that I recommend as a "must-read.") -- C J Singh-------------

My husband and I were lucky enough to spend a year in Finland on a Fulbright ('88-'89) when our kids were 12, 6 and 4. We fell in love with the country and the people and consider it our second home. When we lived there, I was amazed nearly every day by what I learned about the Finnish social system-- things that the Finns themselves often took for granted (until I let them know that Americans did NOT think health care/education/basic sustenance etc. were a human right). As a result of their humane social system, I found most people there more relaxed about themselves, their family life and their futures than almost any American I knew. Finally Anu Partenan has written a meticulously researched book that explains exactly what we witnessed and the philosophy behind it. I loved the book, found it profoundly true, and just ordered a stack of copies for the young people on my holiday list as I truly believe it is what we need to be fighting for. When I lived in Finland, I often said "if American women (in particular but men too) knew what my Finnish friends had, they'd be rioting in the streets." Read it and share it.....maybe even send it to your member of Congress this holiday season.

The Nordic Theory of Everything is an eye opening comparison of the socio-economic structures supporting (or not supporting) the Nordic nations (primarily the author's home country of Finland) and the current United States, by a writer whose life has bridged both worlds. We in the United States are fed a distorted view of life in nations like Finland, possibly to support systems in the United States that no longer work and haven't for some time. This book clears up many misunderstandings about the Nordic point of view. Both nations have their good and bad points but while the Nordic countries are overcoming the issues that beset all developed nations, overall progressing into the 21st Century, the United States in many ways is falling behind the other developed nations by clinging to a mythology based in a bygone era. The author addresses shortcomings in the Nordic philosophy and well as her admiration for the good qualities of her adopted home in America as well. All in all a revealing and balance look at both philosophies of how to run a society.

The author makes absolutely clear what the differences are between the way the U.S.and the Nordic governments operate on behalf of their citizens. Essentially the Nordic theory of love offers care for its people from prenatal life to retirement and old age in such ways that their citizens do not have to worry about money at every stage of their lives, like American citizens do. Heavy on footnotes (over 300) and bibliography, Anu Partanen presents a carefully detailed comparison of all aspects of life in the U.S., particularly education and health care, at the same time as she exults in her American citizenship. Down-to-earth, almost conversational, this book is a must-read for anyone who mistakenly dismisses the Nordic countries as "socialist" without understanding how their systems really work.

I can't recommend this book highly enough! It is enlightening, inspirational - politicans take note: change IS possible - the Finns overhauled their education system in ten years, where the "extra tuition" industry doesn't even exist and equal opportunities to succeed are offered to each child, irrespective of wealth/status! The Finns enjoy a healthy work-life balance and an affordable healthcare system - what a fantastic model to follow in today's wealth-driven, materialistic society.

If you are Finnish or American you would give this book 5 star because the issues covered here are about you and your country.As a Brit, it was certainly interesting to hear aspects of the Finnish system, but we already know how terrible things like the US university or healthcare system are. So parts of the book that explain in detail the anxieties of living in the US felt like dead wood to me and I wanted to skip parts.Enjoyable and enlightening, but I probably would have prioritised other books.

The book is fantastic! I have lived in Finland for eleven years after moving from my home land of Canada. She eloquently writes about how the Nordic welfare ideology of equality impacts citizens and their marriages and families. Her observations are grounded in extensive research. Her book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding ways of organising that promote well being for everyone.

Really well researched and well written, eye opening. I'm European and although I had some understanding of the american social system, after reading this book I fully appreciated the lunacy of some of the policies and systems over there, and got an even better understanding of the way the Nordic countries consider their children and their people and how the whole system is set to be fair to all. Really enjoyable due to the examples and nice narrating style.

Have never lived or visited the USA and neither have I lived in Nordic land apart from a brief visit to Copenhagen. Have always been interested though in organisation of public service systems and Anu's treatise on how Nordics have organised themselves should be a lesson for people around the world striving to make life that little bit better for fellow citizens.