Newsweek has proclaimed Finland the best country in the world. But some Finns disagree
The Kaljakellunta, or Beer Floating, on Vantaa river in Helsinki, Finland Photograph: PEKKA SIPOLA/EPA"But what about suicides, depression, alcoholism and our cold, dark winters?" many Finns protested yesterday, after Newsweek named Finland "the best country in the world". Scored for education, health, quality of life, economic dynamism and political stability, Finland narrowly beat Switzerland (2) and our neighbours and arch rivals, Sweden (3). As ever, our foreign minister, Alexander Stubb, was more positive, urging the Finns for once "to express their pride and sincere joy for the honour".
But gloating does not come naturally to us, even though Finland has topped the OECD global education assessment three times in a row. There is an underside to the educational excellence. Two bloody school massacres, in 2007 and 2008, claimed 20 lives. A tragic coincidence, certainly, but many of us feel that Finland is a Jekyll-and-Hyde country. We have both the positive and the negative in extremes, just like sunshine: the never-setting summer sun is offset by several months of dark winter. It is precisely these adverse circumstances that have created an ordered, egalitarian society. Having been a very poor country up until the 50s, Finland has always relied more on co-operation than competition; and if you agree with the Newsweek panel that low levels of inequality and a small gender gap are desirable, Finland is bound to outdo the UK (14).
In a matter of hours, though, Finland's leading tabloid newspaper, Ilta–Sanomat, exposed an error in Newsweek's survey: it seems the magazine may have mixed up the top two scores, and Switzerland should win by a whisker! Sabotaging our own success befits us perfectly: both the optimists and the pessimists can agree that the number two slot is our natural lot in this world. And maybe we proved a point about top-notch education – the Finnish have better maths skills than Americans.
Timo Harakka is a Finnish TV journalist, author and columnist
Jaahas, olisiko ironian siementä mukana! Kovasti on kommentoitu(Comments in chronological order) Guardianin palstoilla. Hieno avaus Timo!
VastaaPoistaVain Suomessa: kun juuri todistettu maailman parhaaksi maaksi, alkaa natiivit vaatia korjausta, eli 2. sijaa. ja nyt sitten sabotoimaan ihanneimagoa: ei tääl niin kivaa ookaan kun ryypätään ja tapetaan oumaigaad! Suomi sai tästä NIIIIN paljon positiivista pr:ää ja yksi tekoälykkökyynikkonilkki haluaa heti loistaa paskainhorealismilla.
VastaaPoistaTodellakin opportunisti! Ja sen kerron.
I agree. Another downside of this Jekyll & Hyde syndrome is an underlying, hidden self-denial. Maybe compared to many openly segregating systems Finland seems healthier, but underneath the snowy white surface may lie a time bomb consisting of a hidden xenophobia too many Finns are unaware of. It is also a known fact that even though our schooling system is acclaimed, not all kids are ok and eg teachers and school curators find it impossible to get help in time for the ones in need. Furthermore, the seeminglly nice unemployment rates hide the luring risks of the amount of unemployed young people.
VastaaPoistaI so totally agree. Of course I am proud but place 17 in healthcare also really worries me and that is big part of the Jekyll& Hyde syndrome.
VastaaPoistaAidompi ihastelun aihe löytyy Carl Bildt'n blogista hänen käyttämästään suomen kielen sanasta "rapakaljaa": "ren rappakalja" hän kuittaa erään tunnetun demarin väitteet Ruotsin puolueettomuuden vaarantumisesta Afganistanissa!
VastaaPoistaPäätin itse omassa yksinäisyydessäni huolellisesti harkittuani heittäytyä kisaan mukaan.
VastaaPoista-Timo Laaninen puoluesihteeriydestään
Semmoisia ne Timot ovat. Joskus voittavat sdp:n kirjoituskilpailuja, mutta aina Hbl kehuu.
Pah! Rumien naisten hallitsema vähemmistöjen paratiisi, jollaista jokunen ranskalais-italialainen filosofi pitää pahimpana kuviteltavissa olevista yhteiskuntamalleista, koska siellä palkitaan pikemmin halujen kuin kykysjen perusteella.
VastaaPoista