Stockholm Syndrome

Discussion on the radio this morning about what the best approach to prostitution is, in light of the murders in Suffolk. Inevitably, one caller with religious leanings said compulsory bible classes and ninety foot billboards of the big J is the answer. At the other end of the spectrum, was the equally predictable lefty who came on to say "why don't we do what they do in Sweden?" (have brothels inside primary schools, or whatever). Is there no problem in the world that can't be solved by copying the example of Sweden?


Swedish foreign policy:
"[the vision is of] Britain becoming a free-floating country, as distanced from any European military alliance as from the US, and dedicated to "making the UN work" by becoming the kind of diplomatic force - like, say, Sweden - that could make itself useful as an honest broker."

Swedish fiscal policy:
"Take the example of one very successful country, Sweden. Its gross borrowing in 2004 was 18% of GDP higher than that of Britain, a year during which Swedish real GDP growth was 3.7% compared with 3.2% in Britain."

Swedish recycling policy:
"Denmark, Sweden and Belgium all impose taxes on non-recyclable products, the report reveals."

Being a woman in Sweden:
"Sweden, by contrast, is one of the wealthiest economies on earth. Its people are healthy and well-fed, its shops well-stocked, its communications excellent and its women well-educated, with virtually 100% female literacy. It is, in every way, a happier and healthier place to be a woman.

Swedish cake density:
"Of course, the wretched muffin has made its mark here, too, as has the clarty chocolate truffle cake; but at least the Swedes have the common sense to bring life to its cakey density with the use of small but piercingly sharp scarlet and purple berries."