Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1951-02-09


furnished some glimpses of the lat
est swedish developments on econ
omic and political (foreign-policy
fronts. We saw, for inStance, that
the economy is very much depend
ent upon events occurring outside
the borders of the country. In 1850,
the outbreak of war in Korea up
set a precarious balance and I'M
leashed inflationary trends which
took form in 1851 price-fiNing
agreements and cOllectiVe-bargain-
ing contracts, sending both prices
and wages upward. :. The Swed-
ish attitude toward political de-
Velopments abroad could be stated
in terms of individual aWarenesS,
Does the average Swede appreciate
his own democracy we'll enough to
understand the serious danger it
faces in other countries We thOt
a good case could be made for di-
viding the people into two classes
in answer to this question. The
first, comprising Swedes who have
travelled abroad, is well aware;
the second, those who have not,
considerably less. However, SLOW
reorientation is taking place -
lively public debates on the ques-
tion are an interesting and en-
cOuraging sign. Moreover. it would
seem that here as in most demo-
cratic countries. the general pub
lie is spiritually and morally sew
eral steps ahead of their leaders.
New School System
But there is news on other fronts
also, describing events which can
best be called social" or "cultur-
al" Most of these are far from
being sensational or revolutionary,
but their influence may be a great
deal more beneficial and perman-
ent. A good example is the pro-
posal for reorganization of the
Swedish school system, agreed to
by all parties in principle. Its
main purpose is the esta blishment
of one type of elementary school
for the whole country. The cur
riculum would include both So
called theoretical and practical
courses. The former would pre-
pare students for work in high
school and college; the latter
would emphasize vocational train
ing aimed directly at getting the
student into gainful employment.
Enrolment would be available TO
all Swedes, even to those who live
in the most remote northern vii
lagos.
Not only the school, but also the
church anticipates a new era. How
ever, in the latter case the i'm
pulse to new ideas comes not from
without (as in school reform,
through the deliberations of legis-
lators) but from within. The state
church is blessed with strong lead
ers who are bent on restoring the
prestige and glory of the old days
One such leader is the new arch
bishop, Yngve Briioth, also train
ed as a historian, who is reae-
quainting his congregations with
the zeal which characterized the
church of Magnus and CLAUS Petri
Another is Bo Giertz. bishop ir
Gothenburg, who has written q
new catechism for confirmands. II
has aroused lively controversy ir
Sweden - between supporters whc
are grateful f0i a firm religious
guide in confused times. and crit.
les who consider doctrines on orig.
inal sin and eternal damnation re.
pulsive to the minds of enlighten.
ed goth century citizens.
Test-Tube Babies Permitted
Only a few days ago tweek oil
January 21), the church issued an.
other handbook, in the form of 9
letter from bishops to their parish
priests. 1t purports TO set dowT
rules of behavior in sexual rela.
tions. and interestingly combines
traditional, strait-laced points OF
view with newer, more modern
viewpoints Thus. test-tube babies
are permitted. but only between
married couples - any other ap-
plication is viewed as a cheaper.
ing or negation of fatherhood. Elk.
tra-marital or pre-marital sex re.