In Sweden, where I'm from, garbage men earn decent money compared to Swedish engineers.
Q: Are Swedish engineers doing a lousy job?
A: Hell No! they're among the most competent on this earth.
Q: Are Swedish garbage men doing an exceptionally good job?
A: I wouldn't say so, but I approve of it.
Q: Is Sweden an extremely dysfunctional society?
A: No, I'd say few other societies around make a healthier impression.
Q: What can we make out of the Swedish case?
A: Huge varieties of income levels hasn't got to be beneficial to a society. But, on the contrary, nothing indicates it has to be malign in nature. The US (a country whith extreme varities of income levels) and Sweden are about as rich (measured in nominal GDP/capita - which I claim is the best way of comparing these countries besides visiting both of them and actually checking out how people live).
I feel the CULTURAL aspect shouldn't be left out of this discussion. I'm inclined to say the world famous "American Way" suites the US and the likewise widely renowed "Swedish Model" (no, I'm not referring to Victoria Silvstedt and such women) suites Europe (especially northern Europe perhaps).
I could be wrong, although we Swedes seldom are :) :) :) (for instance, I personally suspected Zlatan Ibrahimovic would perform better in Inter than he did in Juventus last season, he has already scored 9 goals, many of them have been magnificent!).
Greetings from Gothenburg!
I tend to strongly agree! The "American Way" worked very well for me being single and professional. The "Swedish Model" is perfect being married and having 2 kids who I intend to raise the "American Way" (being independent at 18 years old and prepared to leave home).
The Swedish model will never work in Asia. Not in Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and certainly not Hong Kong.