Swedes

"Using hygiene as an argument was timely. During the twenties, “the whole and clean human” became a political project, cherished by both the right and social democracy. As the industry modernized, so too should the human be modernized. Swedes were subjected to a propaganda or public enlightenment campaign that culminated during the thirties. Everything revolved around hygiene, healthier habits, and better living conditions. It could be expressed that the modernization project had reached its ultimate goal: the population."

"The fifties were the Era of Great Successes. In Sweden, there was order and discipline; the Swedes had not been affected by the horrors of war and therefore had an intact industry and infrastructure. Trains were on time and punctuality in work life was a virtue. Growth was significant and the wheels of Swedish industry turned ever faster. However, it was not only the absence of war damage that enabled the industry to reap one success after another. A very important foundation for these successes also lay in the very strict Lutheran work ethic that characterized the Swedes; frivolity and negligence have never been appreciated in Sweden. Adding to this the Swedes’ traditional aversion to conflict and willingness to compromise, one gets a society that is built for success; at least economic and industrial success. The fact that the Saltsjöbad Agreement came about is no coincidence. Rather, the conflict situation that had previously existed in the labor market did not fit into Swedish tradition and culture. In a simplified manner, it could be said that the Swedish mentality required a Saltsjöbad Agreement for the parties involved to feel secure – a central concept for the Swedes."