SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
instead of being imposed by na- tional law. As part of a strong social safety net, government public services provide universal free educa- tion and healthcare and public SHQVLRQ SODQV IRU DOO FLWL]HQV mostly funded by their system of taxpayer payments. The Nor- dic countries also have in place a progressive taxation system, re- ducing inequality. The Nordic countries are all high functioning democracies, with unicameral legislatures elected by proportional repre- sentation. Their shared values and interests enable them to work together collectively in leg-
the relatively higher rate of taxation that limits personal spending and OLPLWVHFRQRPLFJURZWKLQWHUPVRI*'3:LWKWKHH[FHOOHQWWUXVWHG VRFLDOVHUYLFHVWKHLUFLWL]HQVHQMR\WKHLUKLJKHUWD[UDWHLVDWUDGHR̆ they have willingly made for decades. Some raise the issue of the mod- HO¶V VXVWDLQDELOLW\ LQ WKH IDFH RI DQ DJLQJ SRSXODWLRQ 7KH PRGHO LV sustained by high participation in the workforce. Refugee immigrants IURP,VODPLFFRXQWULHVH[KLELWDQHQWUHQFKHGXQHPSOR\PHQWUDWH that is seen as causing a drain on government resources. The model also depends on a strong labor union movement, which has declined VRPHZKDWVLQFHWKH V With such an overall positive track record, the Nordic model can in- form inspiring policy ideas and reforms to unchecked corporatism in America that has resulted in poverty and poor-quality public services. European Good Ideas 0LFKDHO0RRUH¶VLQVSLUDWLRQDOGRFXPHQWDU\ :KHUHWR,QYDGH 1H[W tours European countries to highlight best practices in their policies that can serve as models across government service sectors. :KHUHWR,QYDGH1H[W features good ideas like: quality school lunches in France; the highest attainment in school outcomes in Finland; free college in Slovenia; humane and rehabilitative correctional institu- tions in Norway; prosecution of bankers in Iceland for their role in the ± ¿QDQFLDOFULVLV GHFULPLQDOL]DWLRQRIGUXJR̆ HQFHVDQG R̆ HULQJRIGUXJUHKDELOLWDWLRQLQ3RUWXJDO DQGZRUNHUUHSUHVHQWDWLYHV FRPSULVLQJ RI FRPSDQ\ ERDUGV LQ *HUPDQ\ :LWK YDVWO\ ORZHU VSHQGLQJWKDQWKH86RQWKHPLOLWDU\DQGRQDJJUHVVLYHDGYHQWXU - LVP(XURSHDQFRXQWULHVDUHD̆ RUGHGWKHUHVRXUFHVIRUDZLGHUDQJH of domestic programs and policies designed for the common good of their people. continued on page 36
All of the Nordic countries rank at the top for Human Development, Happiness and Global Peace. Photo by K8 on Unsplash.
islative bodies to adjust their programs in ways for the common good. They also enjoy among the lowest levels of corruption in the world. ,Q7UDQVSDUHQF\,QWHUQDWLRQDO¶V &RUUXSWLRQ3HUFHSWLRQV,QGH[ , DOO¿YH1RUGLFFRXQWULHVZHUHUDQNHGDPRQJWKHWRSOHDVWFRUUXSW DQGPRVWWUDQVSDUHQWRIWKHFRXQWULHVHYDOXDWHG $OORIWKH1RUGLFFRXQWULHVFRQVLVWHQWO\UDQNDWWKHWRSRQWKH81'3 LQHTXDOLW\DGMXVWHG+XPDQ'HYHORSPHQW,QGH[WKH 81:RUOG+DS - piness Report, and the Global Peace Index, among other surveys. 7KH1RUGLFVUDQNHGKLJKHVWRQWKHLQGLFDWRUVRIUHDO*'3SHUFDSLWD healthy life expectancy, and freedom to make life choices. A main critique of the model of the Nordic countries is regarding
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Bathe your body and spirit in the uplifting energy of crystals, releasing stress and opening to the Light that is available to us all.
bǴǡȦǡ ȦLjȌȠȇǡ Ǘȣ͕ ȦȭLjȇ ȇLj͕ ȓȰȭȦ ǴLj͎ ǡ ǖǡǡȍ ǝǡȦǷǮȍǡǝ͏ ǷȭǴ ǗLjȣǡ ȭȓ ǷȌȠLjǗȭ ȦȠǡǗǷǭǷǗ ǷȦȦȰǡȦ Ljȍǝ ȍǡǡǝȦ
Intuitive Spiritual Coach Workshop & Retreat Leader Family Constellations Facilitator Individual sessions and classes to access your inner wisdom, overcome personal and professional 1_-ѴѴ;m];vķ-m7_;-Ѵbm|;u];m;u-ঞom-Ѵ|u-l-ĺ Visit my booth at the Summer Expo for an Ancestral Support and Healing session. www.salomeraheim.com
Higher Awakening....Chakra Balancing....Anxiety and Fear Reduction Grief Support....Heart Integration....Self-Love Boost....EMR Protection
Alison Cullinane
HMCA Certified Crystal Practitioner Holy Fire III/Karuna Reiki Master acullinane@rosecrystalhlgccg.com RoseCrystalHlgCCG.com
PATHWAYS—Summer 25—35
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