I don’t have a book suggestion, but as a scandinavian I think it works because we’re so few. Take USA for example - such a huge number of people make for such a splitted people. They are not willing to pay for their neighbors’ financial troubles. In scandinavia we have virtues such as solidarity and teamwork which makes everyone responsible for their neighbors in a way. Therefore people are more accepting towards high taxes. I notice it on myself - when I see people struggling in other countries I have compassion sure, but when a scandinavian is struggling it’s almost like watching my distant relatives struggle.

Plus I think if we compare the scandinavian education system to the american, the american is a joke. Just the fact that they close every time it snows shows this. The education is so american-centered that I think (take this with a grain of salt) that the children become self obsessed. If no other country is important, who’s to say this doesn’t travel to individuals (no other individual is important). This is of course very much speculation, but it is something to think about. Education is a very powerful tool.

Also I think many of the scandinavian countries are doing well financially compared to how many citizens they have. Therefore they can spend a sizeable amount of money on welfare.

I know this is very much not an intelligent post, but I thought it would be interesting to share my point of view as a citizen :)