Explaining Finnish Economic and Social Success – And Happiness

• Published in: Studia Europejskie (Warszawa) Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 177 - 198
• Main Author: Andersson, Jan Otto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centre for Europe - University of Warsaw 01.01.2022; Centrum Europejskie Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; Center for Europe, Warsaw University
• Subjects: competitiveness; Economic history; Economy; finland; geo-historical impacts; happiness; History; international rankings; National Economy; Political history; Social Sciences; Sociology; Geohistorical Impacts; Happiness; International Rankings; Finland; Competitiveness
• ISSN: 1428-149X; 2719-3780
• DOI: 10.33067/SE.4.2022.7

This article explores the reasons behind the high economic and socialrankings 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 measuresin several dimensions – effort, culture, institutions, and economic andsocial outcomes – the essay tries to find characteristics that are particularfor Finland. Education, innovation, and economic security, as well as trust, gender equality, resilient conflict solutions, and geo-historical luck, arecrucial 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).