The would-be one in seven

I guess I won’t be immigrating to Sweden any time soon. It’s kind of a drag since I just got my new silver Tretorns. After Ingmar Bergman and Alexander Skarsgard, the nerdy line of shoes is just about my favourite Swedish export.

It appears, however, that the spacious and highly urbanized country is not immune to the fearful and prohibitive crazies that are infecting many industrialized nations these days. Having just seen a significant rise in support for the far-right Sweden Democrats in its recent elections, the country doesn't seem well positioned to take on some of the greater challenges of social integration and productivity growth. Immigration restrictions were reportedly top of mind for enough voting Swedes to prevent the formation of a coalition majority government, and in a nation where one in seven individuals is foreign-born, it's evident that the recent voting patterns signal some serious cultural divides. But the disconnect of Sweden’s status as leader of the world’s democracy index isn’t so poignant when you consider how often the freedom and democracy argument is used to justify bad behaviour. Those arguments, though, are always short-sighted. Prohibition doesn't take away fear and ignorance, rather it exacerbates the misunderstandings that get in the way of real cultural change. It stifles innovation and growth. Which is why freedom and democracy aren't enough if they're not understood as promoting openness and collaboration.