ENGLISH VERSION
A
 
Tust - Generalized Trust vs. Particularized Trust - Generalized/Institutional Trust vs. Particularized/Relational Trust - concept of "recommendation" in various trust context.

To clarify this distinction, we need to introduce sociological concepts that differentiate between generalized trust (systemic trust in strangers and institutions) and particularized trust (trust based on personal relationships).

Conceptual Distinctions in Trust

  1. Generalized Trust vs. Particularized Trust

    • Generalized Trust: Trust extended to strangers, institutions, and society at large. This is typically higher in Nordic countries, where people assume that others will act predictably and honestly within the collective framework.
    • Particularized Trust: Trust that is based on personal relationships, family ties, and close networks. This is more dominant in Southern European societies, such as Italy, where trust is extended selectively based on personal evaluation rather than institutional norms.

  2. Impersonal Institutional Trust vs. Personalized Relational Trust

    • In Sweden, trust is more impersonal and embedded in institutions, laws, and collective norms. People trust others because they follow the same rules rather than because of personal assessment.
    • In Italy, trust is personalized and based on relational bonds. Trust must be built through direct interactions rather than assumed through institutional affiliation.

  3. Thin Trust vs. Thick Trust

    • Thin Trust: Trust given to strangers and members of society in general, based on institutional integrity and a strong collective ethos. This is typical of Sweden, where people follow recommendations because they assume others will as well.
    • Thick Trust: Trust that develops over time through deep personal relationships and shared experiences. This is more common in Italy, where trust is not assumed but earned.

Illustrative Example: Lending Money in Italy vs. Sweden

  • Italy (Particularized/Relational Trust): "I will lend money to a friend in Italy because I trust them as an individual. I do not necessarily trust a stranger or an institution, as trust is built through personal evaluation, shared history, and loyalty."
  • Sweden (Generalized/Institutional Trust): "I will follow a government recommendation because I trust institutions and the collective system. However, I may be more hesitant to lend money to a friend because financial transactions are seen as impersonal and regulated by formal agreements rather than personal obligations."

This also explains why:

  • In Sweden, "recommendations" function almost as legally binding because they are grounded in high generalized trust in institutions.
  • In Italy, recommendations are seen as mere suggestions because trust is placed in individual judgment rather than institutional authority.

 
 
B

Identity, the collective as a confirmer of identity – Lutheran heritage, post-Reformation, carnival ban, no masquerade traditions, why the face mask is perceived as problematic – the semantics of the word "recommendation" in Sweden.
 

  1. Sweden as a Collectivistic Society
    Sweden is often perceived as an individualistic society due to its emphasis on personal autonomy and self-sufficiency. However, in practice, it exhibits strong collectivistic traits, particularly in its high levels of social trust, conformity to unwritten social norms, and emphasis on societal consensus over individual expression.

  2. Lutheran Heritage and the Absence of Catholic Confession
    Sweden’s historical and cultural foundations are deeply rooted in its Lutheran heritage. Unlike Catholic traditions, which provide a structured system of personal absolution through confession to a priest, Lutheranism places moral responsibility directly on the individual before God and within the collective. This creates a society where personal behavior is regulated by internalized norms and community expectations rather than through external, individualized mechanisms of forgiveness. The lack of a confessor-priest as an intermediary means that individuals bear full responsibility for their actions, leading to stronger social control and collective moral oversight.

  3. Identity, Visibility, and the Rejection of Masks
    In Sweden, identity is socially confirmed through openness and transparency. This is reflected in historical traditions that discourage the concealment of one’s face or identity. After the Reformation, carnival masquerades—where people temporarily hid their identities behind masks—were banned. The rejection of masks as a cultural norm persists, reinforcing the idea that one should always be visible and authentic within the collective.

    Corollary: This historical resistance to masks may help explain why, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden did not recommend masks for the general public, even though they were acknowledged as useful for healthcare professionals. The idea of concealing one's face in daily life was perceived as culturally foreign and inconsistent with established norms of openness and trust.

  4. The COVID-19 Response: Recommendations Over Legal Mandates
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden chose not to enforce strict lockdowns through legal measures. Instead, the government relied on issuing "recommendations" (rekommendationer) to guide public behavior. This approach relied on the assumption that individuals would voluntarily comply based on trust in authorities and a sense of collective responsibility.

  5. The Social Power of Recommendations in Lutheran Societies
    In Catholic countries, a "recommendation" is often interpreted as a mere suggestion, leaving room for individual discretion. However, in Sweden—where a homogeneous cultural ethos and strong state traditions shape public behavior—breaching a recommendation is not merely a personal choice but a violation of collective norms. Disregarding such guidance can lead to social ostracism and trigger feelings of shame or guilt, reinforcing compliance without the need for legal enforcement.

 
 
C
 
The cultural norm of conformity and collective identity, The Law of Jante - Vertical vs. Horizontal Accountability

Historical and Cultural Context

  • Jantelagen (The Law of Jante): The cultural norm of conformity and collective identity in Scandinavian societies, discouraging individual exceptionalism.
  • Folkhemmet ("The People's Home") Ideology: The Swedish model of the welfare state, emphasizing collective well-being, trust in institutions, and voluntary compliance with social norms.

Lutheran Influence on Social and Political Structures

  • Vertical vs. Horizontal Accountability: In contrast to Catholic countries where confession creates a one-on-one mechanism of moral absolution, Lutheran ethics place responsibility directly on the individual within the community.
  • Trust in Institutions & Experts: Strong state legitimacy and trust in government create an environment where “recommendations” carry the weight of informal mandates.
  • The Role of Shame and Social Sanctions: Public shaming replaces legal enforcement in ensuring compliance.

Mask Rejection and the Swedish Identity

  • Cultural Notions of Transparency & Authenticity: Societal emphasis on openness and visibility may have contributed to reluctance toward masks.
  • Historical Resistance to Masquerades: The ban on carnival traditions post-Reformation eliminated traditions of temporary identity concealment.

COVID-19 Response in a Broader Context

  • Comparison to Other Protestant but Non-Lutheran Countries: How did COVID-19 recommendations work in, for example, the Netherlands or the UK, where Protestantism also plays a role but with different historical developments?
  • The Role of Social Trust: High interpersonal trust in Sweden allows for governance through recommendations rather than coercive laws.
  • Digitalization & Surveillance in a Lutheran Ethos: How do Swedish attitudes toward surveillance, transparency, and collective responsibility contrast with other models of governance?

Would you like me to integrate these elements into a structured thesis outline?
 




     forvaltare 

I Sverige används inte längre termen "omyndigförklaring" i juridiska sammanhang, eftersom den avskaffades genom en lagändring 1989. Istället regleras frågor kring en persons oförmåga att hantera sina angelägenheter genom systemet med god man eller förvaltare, som regleras i föräldrabalken (1949:381). Här är en översikt över den svenska rättsliga processen och domstolens roll:

1. Initiativ till processen

En ansökan om att utse en god man eller förvaltare kan göras av:

  • Personen själv.
  • Närstående, såsom familjemedlemmar.
  • Socialnämnden i kommunen, om de anser att en person inte kan ta hand om sig själv eller sin egendom.

Ansökan skickas till tingsrätten, som ansvarar för att pröva ärendet.

2. Roll och ansvar för tingsrätten

Granskning av ansökan

Tingsrätten fungerar som en opartisk beslutsfattare och har ansvar för att:

  • Bedöma om det finns tillräckliga skäl för att utse en god man eller förvaltare.
  • Säkerställa att alla nödvändiga dokument bifogas, såsom:
    • Läkarintyg som styrker personens oförmåga (t.ex. på grund av psykisk sjukdom, demens eller annan svår sjukdom).
    • Socialnämndens yttrande om personens situation.

Prövning av behovet

Domstolen bedömer om personen är i behov av:

  • God man: En stödperson som hjälper till med ekonomiska och personliga angelägenheter, men där personen behåller sin rättsliga handlingsförmåga.
  • Förvaltare: En mer ingripande åtgärd där personen förlorar rätten att själv fatta vissa beslut. Detta används endast när godmanskap inte är tillräckligt.

Rättssäkerhet

  • Domstolen ska höra personen i fråga, om det är möjligt, för att säkerställa att deras röst blir hörd.
  • Personen har rätt till juridiskt ombud, särskilt om ärendet gäller ett förvaltarskap som inskränker personens rättsliga handlingsförmåga.

3. Domstolens beslut

Tingsrätten fattar beslut baserat på bevis och behov:

  • Om behovet bekräftas, utser domstolen en god man eller förvaltare.
  • Beslutet är tidsbegränsat och kan omprövas om det finns skäl att tro att situationen har förändrats.

4. Tillsyn och uppföljning

Efter att en god man eller förvaltare har utsetts övervakas deras arbete av:

  • Överförmyndaren i kommunen, som säkerställer att uppdraget sköts korrekt och i enlighet med lag.
  • Om förvaltaren missbrukar sin position kan ärendet tas upp igen av tingsrätten för att ändra eller upphäva beslutet.

 



ofri

 

1. Vem kan initiera ett omyndigförklarande (Declaration of Incapacity)?

  • Familjemedlemmar: Nära släktingar, såsom make/maka, vuxna barn eller syskon, kan ansöka hos domstolen.
  • Vårdgivare: Läkare eller psykiatriker kan rekommendera en utredning baserat på sina bedömningar.
  • Socialtjänsten: Myndigheter eller socialarbetare kan inleda processen om de anser att någon riskerar att skadas eller utnyttjas.
  • Andra berörda parter: I vissa fall kan en vän, granne eller annan person ansöka hos domstolen.

2. Domarens roll i processen

Domaren spelar en central roll i att avgöra om en person uppfyller kriterierna för omyndigförklaring:

Opartisk beslutsfattare

Domaren agerar som en neutral person som granskar alla bevis som presenteras under förhandlingen.

Granskning av bevis

  • Domaren granskar medicinska rapporter, psykologiska utvärderingar och vittnesmål från experter och andra vittnen.
  • Vanliga faktorer som bedöms inkluderar:
    • Kognitiva förmågor (minne, resonemang och omdöme).
    • Fysisk hälsa och dess påverkan på beslutsfattandet.
    • Förmågan att hantera ekonomiska och personliga angelägenheter.

Säkerställande av rättssäkerhet

  • Representation: Personen som riskerar omyndigförklaring har ofta rätt till juridiskt ombud eller en domstolsutnämnd företrädare.
  • Rättvisa: Domaren säkerställer att individens röst blir hörd, ofta genom att kräva deras närvaro, såvida inte medicinska skäl gör det omöjligt.

Fattande av beslut

Om domaren anser att personen saknar kapacitet att hantera sina egna angelägenheter:

  • En juridisk förmyndare eller god man utses.
  • Domaren definierar omfattningen av oförmågan (t.ex. ekonomiska beslut, personliga beslut eller båda).
  • Periodiska granskningar kan krävas för att ompröva individens kapacitet.

3. Skyddsåtgärder för att förhindra missbruk

Domare är skyldiga att följa strikta procedurer för att förhindra att processen missbrukas:

  • Bevisbörda: De som ansöker måste presentera tydliga och övertygande bevis på oförmåga.
  • Minst ingripande åtgärder: Domare väljer ofta delvis omyndigförklaring (t.ex. endast ekonomisk förvaltning) för att bevara så mycket självbestämmande som möjligt.
  • Löpande tillsyn: Domstolar övervakar den utsedda förmyndaren eller gode mannen för att säkerställa att individens bästa intressen tillgodoses.

Vill du veta mer om den juridiska processen i ett specifikt land eller hur detta relaterar till mänskliga rättigheter?

unfree

The process of declaring someone legally incapacitated varies by jurisdiction, but typically involves legal proceedings with the following key players:

1. Who Can Initiate a Declaration of Incapacity?

  • Family Members: Close relatives, such as a spouse, adult children, or siblings, can petition the court.
  • Healthcare Providers: Physicians or mental health professionals can recommend a review based on their evaluations.
  • Social Services: Government agencies or social workers may initiate proceedings if they believe someone is at risk of harm or exploitation.
  • Concerned Parties: In some cases, a friend, neighbor, or other interested party may petition the court.

2. The Role of a Legal Judge

The legal judge plays a central role in determining whether someone meets the criteria for legal incapacitation:

Impartial Decision-Maker

The judge acts as a neutral arbiter, reviewing all evidence presented during the hearing.

Evaluating Evidence

  • The judge examines medical reports, psychological evaluations, and testimony from experts and witnesses.
  • Common factors assessed include:
    • Cognitive abilities (memory, reasoning, and judgment).
    • Physical health and its impact on decision-making.
    • The ability to manage financial and personal affairs.

Ensuring Due Process

  • Representation: The individual facing incapacitation often has the right to legal representation or a court-appointed advocate.
  • Fairness: The judge ensures that the individual’s voice is heard, often requiring their presence unless medically impossible.

Making the Ruling

If the judge concludes that the individual lacks the capacity to manage their own affairs:

  • A legal guardian or conservator is appointed.
  • The judge defines the scope of incapacity (e.g., financial, personal decisions, or both).
  • Periodic reviews may be mandated to reassess the individual’s capacity.

3. Safeguards to Prevent Abuse

Judges are required to follow strict procedures to prevent misuse of the declaration process:

  • Burden of Proof: The petitioners must demonstrate incapacity with clear and convincing evidence.
  • Least Restrictive Measures: Judges often opt for partial incapacitation (e.g., financial management only) to preserve as much autonomy as possible.
  • Ongoing Oversight: Courts monitor the appointed guardian or conservator to ensure the individual’s best interests are being served.

Would you like more details on the legal framework in a specific country or how this might interact with human rights concerns?


 

role_id
The difference between identity and a role
 (swedish version)
  In human interaction and society, "a role" refers to the social function or position someone occupies in a given context, such as being a teacher, parent, or employee. These roles come with specific expectations, responsibilities, and behaviors that society associates with them. "An identity," on the other hand, is a deeper, personal sense of who one is, encompassing values, beliefs, experiences, and self-perception. While roles are external and dynamic, identity is internal and more stable over time.

The distinction becomes critical when people merge their identity with a role. If someone identifies too closely with a particular role, such as their job or family status, any change or loss in that role can lead to a crisis. For example, someone who defines their entire self as being a successful professional may experience profound distress if they lose their job. The external change in their role disrupts their internal sense of identity, potentially leading to feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, or depression.

Moreover, roles are often temporary, shaped by specific circumstances, while identity, ideally, should remain adaptable and fluid across different phases of life. When someone overly aligns their identity with their role, they risk losing touch with the multifaceted nature of their true self. This rigid attachment can make it difficult to cope with inevitable life changes, as it creates a fragile sense of self based on external validation rather than inner resilience.

The problem becomes acute in societies where certain roles are given disproportionate importance, such as professional achievements or family status. This societal pressure can push individuals to internalize these roles as their core identity, making them vulnerable to role loss or change. When the role is no longer sustainable, the person may struggle to rebuild their sense of self, potentially leading to severe mental health issues like depression, burnout, or a sense of existential loss.

In sum, while roles serve an important function in society and help individuals navigate their interactions, they should not be confused with or replace one's identity. Maintaining a clear distinction between who we are and the roles we play can lead to greater psychological well-being and resilience in the face of change.
 
 

FB inlägg
 
Konst har mening och budskap. Det som förvånar mig är att man i Sverige inte diskuterar konst på samma sätt som i Wien, London eller Paris, där det kan bli tumult efter vissa teaterföreställningar. Där är man både för och emot, och man måste hitta vad som verkligen berör. Vad är det som pjäsen belyser? Är det något nytt, något fundamentalt? Är det den svenska 'husförhörs'-andan som bromsar, eller Jantelagen? Eller kanske en oförmåga att leva sida vid sida med andra kulturer utan att behöva assimileras? Kan detta diskuteras? Är Systembolagets 'mentalitet' något som borde diskuteras – den paternalistiska inställningen att ta hand om dem som är 'förlorade' i andra idéer och levnadssätt? Det skulle vara intressant att diskutera. Avsaknaden av en konfliktkultur kunde vara ett intressant tema. Det finns många brinnande ämnen, men det verkar som om allt vänds ryggen till.
är det trivialt eller är den "bepansrade" mannen rädd, löper hellre maraton, hur når man balans mellan mind and body, varför behöver vi skyddas från oss själva, vad är det som systembolaget skyddar oss från och varför?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/901615588663745/permalink/
964225945736042/
 
Verklighetern är som det är, men det stora problemet är att den allmänna uppfattningen bygger på önsketänkande. Många lever kvar i föreställningar som var sanna för 30 år sedan. När man visar fakta blir folk ofta ledsna, som om det vore en personlig kritik. Men om man fortsätter att hålla fast vid en illusion utan att agera, kommer sanningen förr eller senare att bli uppenbar – och då blir besvikelsen desto större


Freedom

 

Freedom is inherently constrained when living within a society. At its core, freedom requires self-regulation of impulses, even when understood as the ability to act as one wishes without infringing on the freedom of others.

In Sweden, there is a significant willingness to accept restrictions on freedom if it is for the good of society or to protect individuals or groups who are deemed incapable of taking responsibility for their own lives, such as limiting their alcohol consumption.

The idea of imposing benevolent restrictions on personal freedom, justified by claims of acting in an individual's best interests, is often seen as a valid reason for reducing personal liberties.

 

   
Why is it that in a country like Sweden, where  freedom of expression prevails, such a large part of the population feel insecure or afraid to express their opinions?
Hundreds of years of "house interrogations" may be the culprit, says Katarina Barrling, researcher at Gothenburg University
  Why is it that in a country like Sweden, where freedom of expression prevails, such a large part of the population feels insecure or afraid to express their opinions?
According to Katarina Barrling, a researcher at Gothenburg University, hundreds of years of "house interrogations" (husförhör) might be the culprit.
"Dissident 2023" – Katarina Barrling: "Great faith and spirit of inquiry."

translation of the text above
Varför är det så att i ett land som Sverige, där  råder yttrandefrihet, så stor del av befolkningen som känner sig osäkra eller rädda för att uttrycka sina åsikter?
Hundratals år av ”husförhören” kan vara boven säger Katarina Barrling, forskare vid Götebors Universitet
Avvikande 2023 – Katarina Barrling: Stortro och husförhörsanda.
This seminar examines deviation as a phenomenon within a historical context. We explore both historical and contemporary examples of individuals who have challenged societal norms. Additionally, we consider how the Swedish perspective on deviant behavior may have been shaped by the country’s historical connection to Lutheranism and the intertwining of state and church. We question whether the long-standing relationship between religious faith, the church, and state power in Sweden has resulted in a concept of "state Lutheranism." Moreover, we investigate possible parallels between how modern secular society treats those who deviate and how the church historically treated heretics. (Katarina Barrling)

  se LÄNK

the seminar is an early presentation of ideas included in the book below
 

translation
Detta seminarium behandlar avvikandet som fenomen. Mot en idéhistorisk bakgrund ger vi både historiska och samtida exempel på personer som verkligen brutit mot normen. Vi ställer också frågan hur den svenska synen på avvikaren kan förstås mot Sveriges historiska arv av lutheranism och de nära banden mellan stat och kyrka. Är det så att en kultur där religiös tro och kyrka genom seklerna sammanflätats med statsmakten har gett upphov till en form av ”statslutheranism”? Och går det att dra paralleller mellan det sekulära samhällets behandling av dem som avviker och kyrkans behandling av kättaren i äldre kristen tid? 
(katrin Barrling)

   



 




 
 


 


Power and satire


 
 
 
To understand the Swedish society we have identified 2 main cultural traits; Ingmar Bergman's bishof Vergerus teachings and teachings of the Swedish Lutheran Church. (how it influences a social life see below )
 
Ethos
Ethos of a society is a construction, it is an illusion we labour on and sometimes we die for it.

illustration of the basic principle of every society
"it is done for your own benefit"  
Society "radiates"  messages so that all citizens know how to behave. On the photo we see Bishop Edward Vergérus  teaches  Alexander to love ethos. (from Ingmar Bergman "Funny and Alexander")
Still this method of teaching the good Swedish ethos is in use but  we differentiate between "characteristics of an ethos" and "teaching to love an ethos". ethos
     
Currently, we have two inspirational sources, Jean-Jacque Rousseau and Cass Sunstein 
"conformity means to copy what other do"

“The government acts paternalistically when it overrides people’s choices on the ground that their choices will not promote their own welfare.”
Cass Robert Sunstein, professor at Harvard Law School  		  


x
All Societies are, and will be in essence an arrangement of human beings based on the restriction of personal freedoms.

All Societies are, and will be in essence an arrangement of human beings based on the restriction of personal freedoms.
   
"Ethos (/ˈiːθɒs/ or US: /ˈiːθoʊs/) is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. wikipedia"
 



collectivism
  

 
 
   
       
 
Sweden's hirerchical and paternalistic past
       
 

 Reflections around
Inte alla män -Inte alla män – Veronica Palm – Bok | Akademibokhandeln		  
   
 
this was one time
   



     


Collectivism
The Swedish society will try to lead you on the right path, make you a member of a collective, persuade you from pursuing choices, help  you to reduce your expectations and insist that you disassociate from an exclusive relation with God.
here below we show how it is done;
 From the Swedish Citizen's Book
Collectivism is Evil and Irrational - YouTube"It is peculiar to Swedish culture that it is not the state that has forced the citizens to take any collective action, but it is they themselves who have voluntarily joined forces, voluntarily adopted rules and programs for their activities, voluntarily submitted to the restrictions in the personal freedom that the organization must demand. We Swedes believe that such voluntary collectivism is more valuable than a state-commanded, uniform cooperation."
the orginal in Swedish
This is a self=deception
Our discourse is aimed to adjust to what is expected from us. But first we have to understand the mechanisms and unspoken expectations. After acquiring  good understanding of the Swedish culture, especially the ethos we hope to live happily and enjoy life in Sweden





       

loneliness, identity, depression are they connected?

more 
 
 
Is privacy an illusion
bildt The STATE and the privacy
"the surveillance technologies that are there (including this country by the way) they do not limit in any sort of way freedom of expression and information" Carl Bildt
  The STATE and the privacy versus information exchange
the STATE has right to brake any privacy sphere. Hence it is naive to insist on the high level of confidentiality such as PGP encryption. Digital Mail system provide complete AUTHENTICATION and  INTEGRITY of the exchanged information
  Carl Bildt's statement 

       

 
       
Crusade of the utilitarian ideology
 
abort, bad conscience? Swedish "modernization" crusade
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving law and forgetting that the law is restriction of personal freedom.
law
loving rules of the society.		 following J-J Rousseau I learn to love the liberal-democratic ethos, especially the Swedish implementation

We distinguish between "learning to love" an ethos what describes a conscious process of accepting and interacting with ethos. "To love" an ethos on the other side means a total unconscious submission to the ethos. law

 

Depression as a loss of idenntity

depression
The diagnosis of the current times
 It can be so exhausting to uphold social constructs (ethos) a depression is the only solution offered by the  society when the pain is too big.

depression

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

   

authoritarian past
 
communication with the citizens