The Irish Savant : There 'must' be a new Swedish identity

There 'must' be a new Swedish identity

By any yardstick Sweden has been the most advanced nation in the world over the last 100 years. Virtual elimination of poverty, cradle to grave welfare for all its citizens, one of the highest per capita incomes, among the world's lowest levels of crime and corruption, the development of a whole range of world-beating enterprises and iconic brands, major scientific, sports and arts accomplishments....all in a nation of eight million people. No wonder it  has consistently been near the top of the Human Development Index since its inception.

You'd imagine then that its citizens wouldn't exactly be clamouring for radical change.  But apparently it's urgently needed, according to Liberal Party MP Jasenko Selimovic.  It seems Sweden must 'forge a new national identity' to reflect the vibrant and diverse society it has now become. Now let's think of a really diverse and vibrant country as an example. What about Bosnia?  That's got a heady mix of ethnicities and religions. And they've been slaughtering one another for centuries, right up to the nineties which witnessed the Srebrenica massacre.  Only the presence of a large multi-national force prevents them from flying at one anothers' throats to this very day. Go through the list of Swedish accomplishments at the beginning. Bosnia is at the opposite end of each and every one of them.

Now, by happy coincidence, Mr. Selimovic is also from Bosnia, so it's fair to say he can speak with some authority on national identities. And not just Bosnia. Selimovic also refers to Somalis, Nigerians and Afghans who 'don't consider themselves Swedish' (imagine that!) and that they won't be 'successfully integrated' unless this new national identity is formed.  We are given to assume then that Sweden could do with becoming a bit more like Bosnia, leavened with further enrichment from Somalia, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

Fucking wonderful idea, Jasenko.  How did you ever come up with that?

The crazy thing though is that this is exactly what's going to happen. Doubtless Alan Shatter, Anetta Kahane and Barbara Lerner Specter will strongly approve.