Finland, the happiest country in the world—so sings the choir of statistics, gently accompanied by the pleasant rustling of freshly increased government salaries and bonuses. What an excellent job they must be doing! Their rising compensation stands as living proof of national happiness.
Meanwhile, the healthcare system is invited to explore the art of efficiency without resources, social welfare practices the virtue of austerity, and housing benefits master the elegant trick of disappearing without farewell. Unemployment benefits, too, grow philosophical: they still exist, but mainly as an idea.
Mass layoffs? Naturally—a small and necessary sacrifice at the altar of “labor-market flexibility.” Trade unions are carefully weakened, no doubt to spare them the exhausting burden of influence. Progress, after all, must hurt—preferably someone else.
But let us not despair. Finland remains the happiest country in the world. One merely has to ask, in the true spirit of the Enlightenment:happy for whom, exactly.
*Sami Rusanen is “an international lawyer, legal counsel, critical analyst, executive consultant, project & HR Manager, Investment” (Linkedin)