Lars Trägårdh was on the Solo Podcast today to discuss the book he co-authored, The Swedish Theory of Love. Here’s what the Univivesity of Washington Press wrote about the book: “…Henrik Berggren and Lars Trägårdh argue that the long-standing view of Sweden’s welfare state as the result of socialist collectivism is flawed. While social values have been and remain strong, they have co-existed with a radical form of individualism...(the book) examines a political culture that stresses individual autonomy on the one hand and trust in the state on the other…the moral logic behind Sweden’s welfare state…the notion that human relationships based on dependency and subordination lead to inauthenticity and that equality and autonomy are preconditions for genuine love and affection.
It was an enlightening podcast. Lars is a Swedish historian who has lived in the US and Sweden. During the interview, he explained how the Swedish social welfare system promotes autonomy, self sufficiency and independence. He explained why the vision of “freedom and independence” in the US is juxtaposed to Sweden’s.
This was one of the first times I heard someone speak about this contrast non-politically. I found it fascinating.
I won’t do the book nor the interview justice.
If you’re curious about Sweden’s social welfare system, I encourage you to listen to the podcast or read his book.
At the end of the podcast, he spoke about some ways that people in the US might obtain some of benefits of government social welfare. I doubt we’ll see any of these come to fruition during my lifetime.
However, on a more positive note, he also detailed the lives of solos and unconventional individuals in Sweden who live outside of the traditional family-centric/marriage centric norm.
I learned a lot from this podcast and left it with a yearning, once again, to live in Sweden,
I wish I would have considered this a possibility back when I was beginning my adult life, education and career. I might have had a chance to make it happen then.
But we all know where wishes get me.
So instead of pining for a past that didn’t’t happen and a future that won’t, I’ll go walk the dogs and enjoy the unconventional solo life I crafted right here at home.