Nama : Peter Gagah Sejati
Nim : 19/445528/KT/09126
THE DEVELOPMENTAL WALVARE STATE IN SCANDINAVIA
Viking is an Indian-European nation from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and modern Sweden),
which around 400 AD began to carry out routine invasion by sea to various regions in Europe,
even to the Mediterranean Sea by invading Sicily and southern Italy. Viking began to attack the
Atlantic coast of southern France around 400 AD, and also the east coast of England
In 861, another Viking branch migrated to Russia to trade with Constantinople. In Russia, the
Vikings gradually mixed with the Slavs who lived there, and founded the Russian state.
Together, the Slavs and Vikings sailed the Black Sea, where they traded with various people
from the east along the Silk Road like the Samanids. Vikings sell fur and wool to Samanids, and
Samanids sell silk from China to Vikings.
The Vikings and Slavs also invaded the Eastern Roman region around Constantinople, even
though they were unable to take the city. The Byzantine Empire quickly hired Viking men as
soldiers. Many Vikings fought for Byzantium at the Battle of Manzikert against the Seljuks in
1071 AD Around 1100 AD, most of the Vikings had converted to Christianity.
In 1000 AD, some Vikings settled in northern France, and they came to be called the Norman, or
Northman, while the territory was called Normandy to the present day. They also converted to
Christianity. During this time, some Vikings sailed west to regions such as Iceland and
Greenland, even as far as Nova Scotia, in modern Canada. Some Viking men married local
women there. Vikings also settled in Iceland and Greenland, but only stayed briefly in Canada,
because the Inuit people there were too strong for them, and because the period of global cooling
that began around 1300 AD made the oceans too frozen for their ships
From this book, it can be seen that there are several causes of the advance of countries in
Scandinavia. There are six very basic reasons why the level of happiness, prosperity and welfare
of the people in Scandinavian countries is the highest in the world.
Reason One: Seamless Reform
An example is the reforms made by Denmark. The social system has been overhauled and the
retirement age is raised to 70 years. Because the average life expectancy of the Danish people is
now 82 years. In Denmark more and more people are happy and prosperous. Life deserves
respect and security until they die.
Second reason: Modern society
Realistic attitude is very owned by all people in Scandinavian countries. They are very similar in
terms of language, culture, and mentality. Except Finland. Norway has proven that countries
need to be firm if there are decisions that must be implemented. In 2006, for example, the
Norwegian economic minister (Ansgar Gabrielsen, a man), sparked a government regulation
requiring the supervisory post of each company to be filled by at least 40% of women. Norway is
the first country in the world to set a sex quota based on law. The results were enjoyed by
Norwegians many years later: the father of the household was also as high and low as the
housewife. Being a household father is normal there, because the wife is the breadwinner.
Reason Three: Scandinavian Countries Have No Debt
Companies in Norway really benefit from gender policies at the top level, according to Dr.
Jorunn Okland, central director of gender studies research at the University of Oslo. The fact also
supports the results of this study. Norway is economically at the top of European countries.
There is no other country with excess foreign exchange such as Norway. Swedish and Danish
debt is less than half of Germany's debt. The unemployment rate in Norway is the lowest in the
world. The purchasing power of the Norwegian people is 4 times greater than that of France and
2 times that of Germany. This difference is getting bigger and bigger.
Reason Four: Greater Economic Growth
In 2010, Norway's gross domestic product rose 6.5%. Likewise Sweden. The country of origin of
the ABBA music group was even praised by the OECD general secretary, Dr. Angel Gurria, as a
beautiful country that was increasingly prosperous. In 2011, economic growth is predicted to rise
from 3.9% to 6.9%. Something great for the country in the world in conditions like this.
Fifth Reason: Own Currency
Scandinavian countries escaped smoothly when the global financial crisis hit the face of the
earth. Facts that really support the breakthrough include the currency itself, not participating in
the Euro, except Finland. The currencies of Norway, Sweden and Denmark are among the three
most stable in the world. Any economic turmoil does not shake them. Most Indonesians who
have never lived in a stable country like them certainly cannot imagine the calm of a stable
currency. To illustrate: within ten years the price of a kilo of potatoes has remained almost the
same. There is no price of goods going up or down like here.
Reason Six: Strong National Enterprises
Because the sovereign debt is almost zero, politics are very stable, and the economy is strongly
oriented towards exports, the value of Scandinavian stocks is very attractive. Whoever invests in
Scandinavian stocks, he is like entering a world-class company whose market position is very
strong. The Danish pharmaceutical industry, Novo Nordisk for example, has a 25% share of the
world diabetes market. In China their share of shares actually reached 60%.
Countries in Scandinavia have a very high index of happiness, even occupying the first position
in the index of the happiest countries in the world. There are several reasons why countries in
Scandinavia have, on average, happy citizens, namely:
1. They have a balanced personal and professional life
In Scandinavian countries, there is no such thing as working on weekends. When in our country
workers may be rare (or many?) Come home late and skip dinner with family, there is the
opposite. When in our country working eight hours a day (48 hours a week from Monday to
Saturday) even more, in Norway the average person working in that week is only 34 hours!
In Sweden they have 15 minutes of rest in their work schedule twice a day, where they can chat,
go for coffee, even just relax. Basic ideas like this aim to make people more productive. In
Denmark, they have a strict habit of personal time, so they are reluctant to have meetings at
breakfast and just drink after work. Time to go home for yourself or family, that's enough, you
can't mess with it.
2. Good for yourself The Danes have a tradition known as 'hygge' (pronounced 'hooga'), which is
an exercise in welfare for oneself and others. This term was actually coined to describe the need
to escape from the harsh Danish winter, but it can also apply to something that is really loved
and done by the person concerned, for example relaxing at home, reading a book on a bed, or
hanging out with friends with games. . The only condition in this case is that the activity does not
harm others in any way.
3. Their food consists of lots of fish, root vegetables, and fruit
When the Mediterranean-style diet is considered the best diet in the world for heart health, then
the Nordic-style diet is arguably the second best. Some studies show that following the Nordic
diet can reduce a lot of cholesterol, and even reduce weight. Because they are diligent in eating
oily fish loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and protein, root vegetables such as carrots, turnips,
potatoes, and several types of fruit. In addition, Scandinavian countries rarely have red meat and
animal fat.
4. They are able to trust others
According to the Prosperity Index in 2014, 74% of Norwegians say they feel they can trust
others, while 83% of Swedes say they trust their government to do the right thing. Several
document studies show that there is a strong relationship between trust and happiness, where
trust triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with love, happiness, and bonding.
5. They spend a lot of time with nature
Scandinavian countries have several public access laws that give anyone and everyone the right
to walk, bike, camp and enjoy all land freely. Residents enjoy the vast space, green surroundings,
public space, and spending a lot of time with nature. Studies show that spending time with nature
improves health, happiness, memory, learning, mental health, and heart.
6. They have cool health services
In Scandinavian countries, if you need to see a doctor, you will be made an appointment on the
same day. All forms of treatment are free, although they are paid indirectly in the form of very
high taxes. But still it's not a waste of time. Here, care and treatment are truly guaranteed
'prosperous'. For example, when a woman gives birth to a baby, then she is given a box full of all
equipment, clothes, and toys for her child.
