Thus, helping all one's neighbors is not easy. That's why, for decades, Nordic societies have accepted high taxes as a way of funding their welfare systems. Lately, however, businesses have been arguing that high tax bills make their products less competitive on the world market, since highly-taxed companies must raise prices to maintain profits. In response, Sweden adjusted its laws so that its citizens can divert some of their tax payments to stock-market investments. Even with such change, the values embedded in the Scandinavian model remain strong.
Nordic people respect cooperation, too.
Since the 1950s, all five nations have been members of the Nordic Council, working together on such issues as environmental protection and industrial research. Learning Enrichment, Inc., on-line .