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  • Published: 16 October 2017
  • ISBN: 9781612196213
  • Imprint: Melville House
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $40.00

Viking Economics

How the Scandinavians Got It Right-and How We Can, Too




A longtime activist takes an entertaining look at the Nordic welfare state--and shows us how we, too, can have a far more equal and just economic system. Now with a new afterword from the author addressing the Trump presidency, and how Norway successfully fought fascism by not giving in to their economic elites.

"Helps to lift the lid on what makes Northern Europe tick."—Forbes Magazine

Liberals worldwide invoke Scandinavia as a promised land of equality, while most conservatives fear it as a hotbed of liberty-threatening socialism. But the left and right can usually agree on one thing: that the Nordic system is impossible to replicate elsewhere. The US and UK are too big, or too individualistic, or too . . . something.  
In Viking Economics—now with a new afterword by the author—George Lakey dispels these myths. He explores the inner workings of the Nordic economies that boast the world’s happiest, most productive workers, and explains how we can enact some of the changes—including universal healthcare, affordable childcare, and a month of paid vacation for all—that the Scandinavians fought for surprisingly recently. We, too, can refuse to be governed by the elites and embrace equality in our economic policy—here’s how. 

  • Published: 16 October 2017
  • ISBN: 9781612196213
  • Imprint: Melville House
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $40.00

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Praise for Viking Economics

“Here, Lakey combines historical analysis, economic data and interview-based opinion to produce something that delivers much more than each of those could do in isolation. As a result, Viking Economics tells a story of economic change and the foundations on which it was built at a time when it is so obvious that such narratives are desperately needed in modern political discourse.”—Richard Murphy, Times Higher Education magazine Viking Economics shows us there's no reason we couldn't be making far more progress across a wide range of problems. George Lakey is great at explaining why.” —Bill McKibben, environmentalist and author, Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College, founder of 350.org “Carrying student debt? Working longer hours with no vacation?  Do you wonder if it is possible for the U.S. to reverse a generation of extreme inequality?  It doesn’t have to be this way.  Viking Economics helps us envision a different way of organizing our economy to put people and planet first. ”  —Chuck Collins, Senior Scholar, Institute for Policy Studies, author of Wealthy, Come Home   “The Nordic model has proven extraordinarily successful in ensuring a decent standard of living for all the citizens of these countries, while at the same time keeping them open to international trade and at the forefront of technology. This short book is a great starting point for those looking for insights into the origins and structure of this model.” —Dean Baker is Co-Director of Center for Economic and Policy Research and author of Getting Back to Full Employment: A Better Bargain for Working People “Brilliant, fun to read, and most timely--just what Americans need right now! Lakey busts key myths that keep us believing we can’t have the society we want. Bravo for this great source of evidence-grounded hope!”—Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet and Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity and Courage for the World We Want From the Hardcover edition.

"Viking Economics shows us there's no reason we couldn't be making far more progress across a wide range of problems. George Lakey is great at explaining why." --Bill McKibben, environmentalist and author, Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College, founder of 350.org

"Viking Economics helps us envision a different way of organizing our economy to put people and planet first. " --Chuck Collins, Senior Scholar, Institute for Policy Studies, author of Wealthy, Come Home

"The Nordic model has proven extraordinarily successful in ensuring a decent standard of living for all the citizens of these countries, while at the same time keeping them open to international trade and at the forefront of technology. This short book is a great starting point for those looking for insights into the origins and structure of this model." --Dean Baker is Co-Director of Center for Economic and Policy Research and author of Getting Back to Full Employment: A Better Bargain for Working People

"Brilliant, fun to read, and most timely-just what Americans need right now! Lakey busts key myths that keep us believing we can't have the society we want. Bravo for this great source of evidence-grounded hope!"--Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet and Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity and Courage for the World We Want