I disagree.
What did Sweden in was their shift from conservative politics to that of Democrat Socialists, which occurred in the late 60s. My parents took me and my brother to the USA in 68 just as the socialists took power, and have nearly uninterruptedly held power since.
The baby boomer type generation of Sweden was an incredibly spoiled lot. The reason they were spoiled, is because their parents and grandparents faced horrible hardships. The economic prosperity that came post ww2 created a society that “felt sorry” for EVERYONE. And, since the books were balanced, industry was great, society was peaceful and well educated....
Giving away everything worked for a long time. Now, people realize that their national identity is being lost and that they can hardly afford to continue printing money.
-First Generation Swede
“I disagree.”
Okay, we disagree.
In my US community, every Swedish family that has immigrated in the last 100 years took the position as THE MOST LIBERAL FAMILY IN TOWN. They may have been the most conservative swedes in Sweden, before they left, relative to the remaining swedes, but upon their arrival here, BOOM! LIBERAL! — just look at Minnesota!
The economic prosperity you mention, it must have been nice (and profitable!) being neutral in WWII...