Learning from the Swedish

• Victory - 13-09-2006 13:57:24 - Only logged activists can post a comment, please sign in or register here

  Well, we're home now a few days and very glad we went.
  
  I have been thinking about why Sweden is still so far ahead of Ireland in so many ways, and apart from the fact it developed decades before us, I can think of two main reasons: the list electoral system which allows for national politicians to focus on national issues and decide what’s best for the country as a whole, rather than our system which drags them always back to the local level. A full list system also has disadvantages,
  so many a semi-list system is the way forward for Ireland.
  
  Also the fact 40% of Swedish MPs are female and only 13% in Ireland plays a major role. How can we build a society for all of the people, which reflects the values and perspectives of all people, when only 13% of our decision-makers are women. Women also tend to be consensus builders, better listeners and prefer discussing than debating. All assets when designing a real modern social democracy. I firmly believe we in Ireland need to move to implement quotas for women.
  
  This blog is mirrored here including some pics:
  http://www.aidanosullivan.info/stockholm06/
  
  You can read a report of what Europe can learn from the Nordic model here:
  http://www.socialistgroup.org/gpes/searchdisplay.do?id=7037&lg=en
  
  This exchange of ideas across Europe is a fantastic exercise. I encourage all PES members to take similar trips. We in the Irish Labour Party will be attracting activists to Dublin next Spring for our election, so you are all very welcome...
  
  Now fingers crossed for victory in Sweden this weekend, and victory in Dublin 2007........

   

• comment(s):

  • Carlos Moret - 22-09-2006 16:10:10

    We'll have to double cross for Dublin 2007. Too bad for Sweeden. France too has elections, and the European Presidency soon.
    PS Fortunately you write in English, and not gaelic. Unfortunately I miss out on some articles because they are written in a language I don't understand.

   

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