Around ten years ago I decided that going forward I will spend all of my vacation days for visiting numerouns different and interesting destinations around the world, so I could try to understand better how different cultures and societies function. When I look back today, ten years and with over fifty visited countries throughout the world later, I think that this is probably one of the best decisions that I ever made in my entire life. The experiences I gained and insights I gathered along the way could be best described with one word – priceless priceless.

I do believe that broad exposure to a number of different cultures and nations can make a man more tolerant, it can expand his or her horizons and it helps you to understand how small Croatia is in a worldwide terms. Many still recognize us by only after mentioning Tito (older generations) or Davor Šuker (younger ones). One also starts to appreciate more the beauty of the Croatian coast – which is truly magnificent and unique worldwide, but begins to wonder as well why the country, with such exceptional natural resources is not richer and consequently why our people do not live better.

Is the problem in us as we are not mature enough to manage ourselves, our companies and a whole country in a proper way? Or is the problem in values that are in our country cherished and proclaimed? Or is it perhaps insufficient education and lack of desire for work and creation?

How to achieve nation of wealth in which there is a fine balance between ability of individual to create significant wealth in case he/she is very capable, works hard and creates wealth as well for the overall society and on the other hand social justice and providing ability for each citizen for a decent life?

Northern European countries, namely Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark, probably went furthest so far on this road and we certainly try to learn from them.

This year I completed my northern tour across those countries and therefore rounded my thoughts on those countries too – even though, having been there just for a few days, man can really but scrape the surface of his understanding how these countries really work.

Denmark and Norway, that I briefly visited this year, are just like Sweden and Finland, great countries to visit at the end of June or during July – during the so called white nights i.e. during the period when the night is extremely short and bright and nature is exceptionally green and lively.

I find very special experience to visit north at that time. Man senses some special energy in nature and the people around him, knowing that climate in this area is giving to people only two to three months in a year joy of sun and nice warm weather and even during that time just during certain days. Moreover, nature gets green in a very short period of time so one has the impression that light, sunshine and nature, together with people, want to maximize those rare beautiful days and use them at a full extent.

This is probably where the root of the northern mentality partly lies, in the sense they can truly specially appreciate the true values such as enjoying the beauty of nature, because this is significantly limited to them on account of adverse climate. Likewise, bad climate and cold temperature during the year created the need for people to work, think and develop themselves in order to live better. In contrast to north European countries, there is a list of countries with great climate where people are much worse off as far as living standard and purchasing power are concerned. If we, for example, take a look at Mediterranean countries in Europe, we can clearly see these are mostly by far most indebted countries in Europe (PIGS – Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) and that their indicators, such as GDP, the average salary and purchasing power are at the bottom of EU or inflatedly high due to the higher spending then their abilities (which eventually causes crisi as it was recently the case in Greece). One of theories proclaimed by some sociologists is that if one has the sun, sea and naturally rich land for agriculture, he is not forced to work too much in order to prosper and develop – in contrast to countries where this was necessary for survival. And, truly, if you take a look, many of most developed countries in the world (north Europe, UK, Ireland, and Japan) have a very bad and not so aspirational climate and are certainly not the first choicefor anybody who chooses his residence based on a climate.

In case of north European countries, I truly believe that, apart from their cultural heritage, key for demonstrating people how life beautifull could be exactly lies in these two to three months when the scenery, air and the experience are phenomenal. This could very well be the driving force for these people, because if they lived in darkness and grayness for twelve full months – it would be hard for them to find inspiration to rise above this and achieve more. Exactly on account of such climate (just like Englishmen and Irishmen), northerners are infamous for extensive usage of alcohol (mostly during weekends), when their “Viking blood” starts boiling, and when they drink hard liquor in liters. But, what is interesting, at least according to the words coming from our local Denmark tour guide, is all of this takes place without major excess and outbursts of aggressiveness. Therefore we could say that it is somehow “controlled.” In Norway, Sweden and Finland, purchasing of alcohol is severely limited and the prices are astronomical, but this does not stop the inhabitants from heavy drinking and occasional ferry “hopping” to stock up in Estonia or Denmark – where prices of alcohol are somewhat more accessible.

Another interesting thing is even though they can drink quite a lot, Danes never, under no circumstances, drive under the influence of alcohol. This would constitute an act that would cause your friends and associates to characterize you very negatively and they would probably ignore you and avoid you. Therefore, it is okay to drink in this culture, but to risk somebody’s or own life by driving in such a condition is fully unacceptable. Moreover, the severity of the fine that the police can set for drunk driving is very effective in turning people away from the very thought to sit behind the wheel after having drunk.

Our guide told us an anecdote about his Danish friend who drove through Slovenia and Croatia. When he was stopped by a policeman who wanted to routinely check the paperwork, and when asked whether he had any alcohol, he said no so the policeman said he was free to go. To this, the Dane calmly responded that he could not go on because he sensed the policeman had been drinking and that this was totally inappropriate. I am unsure as to how the episode ended, but I do know we are still very far from adopting norms of behavior that protect the entire society, which the northerners, so it seems, cherish.

When I compare us to northerners, I would say the issue is not that much about Croatians as individuals (who easily and successfully blend into the norms of developed countries once they move there), but in the way we approach resolving social matters– without systematic not long term approach.

For example, the cab I took in Copenhagen, for the ten minute drive, cost me 55 Danish crowns (the exchange rate of the Danish crown is almost identical to the Croatian kuna). The same ride in Zagreb would cost at least that, if not more. Let us ask ourselves how Croatians, with the purchasing power several times weaker can afford the taxi ride once they have had a few (or when they require transportation in general). Would not many, knowing they would drink when going out in Zagreb, use taxis if they knew the ride would cost them some 30 kuna, instead double or triple the amount? And why, when debating whether the minimum tolerance for driving under the influence (whether this should be 0.0 or 0.5 per mille), none of more prominent politicians has not connected the issue with the price of taxi fares, thus placing the resolution of the issue into a context of systemic problem resolution that would lead to decreased consummation of alcohol while driving, safer roads, more intensive utilization of cabs, and, potentially, increased employment of taxi drivers due to increased demand for the service?

This represents small example of the lack of systematic thought and systematic problem solving in our country. This partly hapens due to lack of knowledge and practice in system thinking and partly due to petty interests of individual interest groups and individuals who at any cost persue their personal gains which are sometimes in line with the interest of overal society and the national economy as a whole. The problem, of course, is not in those individuals and interest groups because they are merely acting naturally and according to human nature by protecting their interests, but in the system which allows numerous cases of individual interests coming before the ones of society. System should find rise above needs of certain individuals and decisions should be made in a systematic fashion, independently, competently and always minding the interest of the overall society. It is this area exactly that is where the power of north Europeans resides, and as a consequence of that, where lieas the source of their ability to organize socialy responsible prosperous society.

One could also see a manifestation of thorow systematic approach in other developed and mature nations such as Germany in the area of the approach to even things like football. During the recently held world football championship in South Africa, Germany as a team won the third place in the championship and was among the youngest of teams while playing perhaps the most beautiful and attractive football. I was especially impressed by the piece of information a commentator brought up: a good part of the team (including the best player of the championship which holds the same last name as myself – Thomas Muller) is the result of the fact that having gone through a defeat in the European championship in 2000 (when Germany was last in qualifying round), the German Football Federation deciding to invest tens of millions of Euro into the development of young players (aged 13-14). A consequence of this is a fact that ten years later it is these guys exactly that were promoted among world’s finest players at this championship. Let us pause and reflect when one could expect such a systematic approach to problem solution in Croatia. Especially in the area of football where things are managed in all but not systemetic manner.

Northerners in general often practice extensivly physical activity and have great dedication to sports. Copenhagen is full of runners and cyclists while Norwegians are mainly passionate ski runners and it is clearly visible sport is a way of life in these countries, deeply rooted into the habits of their people. Their active approach to life is noticeable in a whole range of other aspects of life – starting from constantly improving their houses because they want to add something new and different to the facts that they are exceptional ecological awareness and that they are constantly actively working on development of alternative energy sources in their countries.

There are numerous examples of the active approach to life in northerners, but I was perticuarly impressed the most by a specific example of the certain handicapped man in the street, with crutches, that I noticed in the main pedestrian area in Oslo. One can often observe beggars in our streets wanting some money just because they are poor. There are no beggars in the main pedestrian area in Oslo – there are only people who demonstrate certain skills based on which pedestrians award them for their talent and effort. One can see different artists there – from street musicians, people acting as statues painted in gold or silver and circus acrobats walking on the rope between two trees. Walking down this street I noticed a very short man with crutches (and visibly shortened legs), juggling the ball with crutches and head interchangeably while wearing a football attire. He was doing this with extreme and almost not understandable expertize and skill. I stared in disbelief how he, for over ten minutes, juggled with a smile on his lips, tossing the ball from one crutch to the other, then onto his head and again on crutches after a long head juggle. This is a skill not even the best Brazilian footballers would be ashamed of.

At this point I clearly saw the basis of the difference between our mentality and that of northern Europeans. The message of this man was – look what skill I learned despite my handicap. Please award me because you appreciate my effort, persistence and skill and not because you pity me and because I am poor and had no luck in life. It is the active approach to life, instead of passive – this is what differentiates successful individuals and nations from those unsuccessful. This is why northerners can have high amounts given for welfare – because there are not a lot of people who want to misuse it – people want to live actively, they want to work and create. While on the other hand not be a slave to work with working day lasting for over 10-12 hours (which is often the case in countries such as USA).

It is especially interesting most Danes leave their parents’ home already once they graduate from high school i.e. when they are 18. Some find a job, many study along with doing the part time job, but they certainly develop the awareness at an early age of what it means to support oneself and be responsible in terms of money (because one earns it himself/herself). Perhaps this is one more reason that Danes treat money very rationally – we would at times even say they are stingy, because, for example, it is not their custom to pay for rounds of drinks of the entire crowd, but instead everyone settles his own bill (but if you do buy somebody a drink, he will try to return the fovor in a polite fashion).

Many Danes buy their own flat early on. The reason for this is the real estate prices are quite acceptable for their standard (the prices in Copenhagen can thus be compared to prices in Zagreb), while loans are fairly accessible, with appropriate interest rates too. On the other hand, due to high taxes and surcharges, cars are far more expensive than in Croatia and people are more likely to purchase an apartment than a car. This is one further example of how the system cleverly directs people towards desirable patterns of behavior. The consequence of this is the fact that inhabitants have resolved their housing issues massively still in their early years, while the bicycle and the public transportation are used intensively and every day – which results in economic and ecological gains for the society. About 3,000 kilometers of bicycle lanes throughout Denmark and the sea of bicycles visible at every step when going through Copenhagen clearly witness the fact Danes decided to collectively utilize bicycles wherever and whenever they can.

Education is free and of very good quality, which, together with a quality and all-spread health insurance system and numerous free highways, clearly indicates where taxes you pay go to, and why the tax amounts in Denmark and other northern countries are among the highest in Europe.

A very good friend of mine who lives in Switzerland has recently told me her “cherry story,” which testifies how there people think in a systematic manner as well. What pissed her off for a number of years and what she could not understand is the fact one needs to pay an astronomical amount of over HRK 100, for a 1 kg of cherries in her canton. All of this changed one day when, in a conversation with one of the locals, she realized cherries (and some other fruit and vegetables) cost that much so the farmers who live off growing cherries could support themselves, because, on the contrary, they would represent a social category for which they would have to allocate funds (taxes). Therefore, the people are subsidized by a higher price and there is therefore no need for them to represent burden to the society – an excellent example of systemic thinking of local communities. And, after that day, it was not a problem for her any longer to buy expensive cherries when she wanted them – because she knew why she was paying them that much and why it is better for the whole system that is so. It is exactly on account of such an approach to problem solving and the different situations of the sort that the Swiss and northern Europeans are at the level of development and living standard that they enjoy.

On the other hand, we have issues such as follow: what the tax amount for what salary level will be, how to resolve the matter of the expensive state apparatus and the public sector (that our economy objectively cannot finance) and how to keep the most gifted individuals and support them in creating value for society. And we approach them in all ways but systemic. An interest group that can exert stronger pressure at a certain time (whether these are farmers, unions or employers) – push own interests regardless of whether they are viable in the long term and whether they benefit the system.

The systemic thinking in developed countries (such as north European) is also reflected in the fact that going out is exceptionally expensive while groceries are widely accessible. If for example you go and buy basic groceries in a store, the prices you will find in the supermarkets of north European countries in most cases will not drastically differ from the prices in Croatia. On the other hand, food and drinks in restaurants or bars of comparable level, cost 4 – 5 times more in Oslo than in Zagreb. In this way, those with the lowest wages can have a decent living, but without the going out and drinking. So if you do want to go out and have fun – you have to earn enough money so you could afford to do so. Scandinavians also approach systemically to the public transportation. Monthly pass buys you a combination of different types of transport (subway, bus, boat etc.), which you then combine as you please.

Northerners are generally fairly liberal and tolerant and everybody has right to organize his or her life in a way they see fit, if they do not impinge on the lives of others. Even if they think your behavior is not the most agreeable, until you start molesting your environment, it is highly unlikely northerners will have any complaints. Therefore, human liberty is fairly pronounced and is respected. For example, if I got this right, in Denmark and Sweden everybody has the right to camp and stay one night anywhere even on private property (with prior notice to owners). This sends the message regarding the openness of society, hospitability and the possibility of every citizen enjoying the joys of nature for a while.

A very interesting and drastic example of the liberal, pragmatic and humane approach of the northeners is so called Christiania – a hippie commune near downtown Copenhagen, active already for a number of years now. Copenhagen, as a port city, had issues with drugs and junkies until a few decades ago. Socity governmentl decided to found a hippie commune under the name of Christiania. Several thousand representatives of the risk group found their home there – drug dependents or those who are trying to stop taking drugs. They got the chance to work there and create different artifacts, thereby sustaining themselves, living fairly normal lives, without bothering the rest of the citizens of Copenhagen. Most vivid example testifying how inhabitants of how inhabitans of Christiania feel them selves special is perhaps the sign on the way out from the commune which says: “Welcome to EU.” A few years ago there was a plan to shut down Christiania and build a large business complex there. This land would for sure have significant market value due to the attractiveness of the location. Following the announcement, the drugs issue became more intensive in the city, as well as violence, so there were fights even some murders hapening. Not long after this, the city government decided to stop the project and leave Christiania alone, not to risk drugs and violence to be spread over the streets of Copenhagen. Christiania thus represents an example of the pragmatic qualities of northerners, but also their openess to experiment and to admit errors they occur while experimenting and trying new things. Our Copenhagen guide described Danes (and northerners in general) as quite simple in business, not inclined to complicate things, ready to experiment and try something new. And if they make a mistake in experimenting – they correct this right away and move on fast in searching for the better and right solutions.

Tendency to experiment and to try new things at on the one hand, coupled with systemic thinking on the other hand, could be seen well in northern Europeans’ approach to urbanism. Their houses are very interesting, they use very pretty and vivid pastel colors (red, yellow, blue, green etc.), and there are many red brick facades – which I personally find exceptionally nice and interesting, especially in case of buildings alongside rivers, which makes the beauty of such houses even more striking. Regardless of the richness of color and shape of houses, all of it fits within the overall urbanizational plan and functions as within it, giving the cities (and villages) a special charm. During most of the year when the weather is bad, grey and overcast, this richness in colors gives some life and flair to the space where people live and work. Once the sun shines, the richness is then shown in its full splendor and one simply enjoys walking by, looking at all these buildings of different color and shape, that nevertheless jointly form a consistent and interesting urbanistic arhitecture.

Scandinavians are, as already mentioned, quite pragmatic and practical people, so they often turn their abandoned factories or warehouses into museums or other functional spaces – as I had opportunities to see on numerous cases in Denmark. Such renovated buildings are especially interesting because they remind as of the history while adding modern twist on top and they ad a uniqueness to the city urbanizm and arhitecture. I do not recall such cases in Croatia and there are some buildings that are fully out of function for a long time and are continuously just being ruined further (one very near my apartment in Zagreb). I found the holiday homes in Oslofjord especially striking. They are quite proud of them, and they do blend in so nicely with the greenery and the nature of fiords. Norway is a country with the number of inhabitants roughly corresponding to Croatia (about 4.3 million), and the people have over one million vessels/boats – therefore, almost one boat per family. In summer, many Norwegians reach their holiday homes in boats and enjoy nature. The houses are literally scatered over the fiord, and, in contrast to Croatia where there is a clear distinction between inhabited and non inhabited area (so there are either nmerouns houses or no houses), here somehow, nature and houses are unified in a harmonious and interesting sight. Perhaps this is something we could learn from when reaching our urbanism plans for the islands. We should not be that restrictive as to where to build in general, but focus more how to buid in order to enrich the space and not to demage it while in the same time help in utilize and develope it in a sustainable way. By proscribing clear rules and framework for buildings that could be built, we could even further enrich the scenery of the islands but with full respect to the surrounding nature. If we had, for instance, approached the project of building the commercial center in Varšavska Street (Cvjetni trg) in a mentioned manner, we would not have problems and controversies arising now. This is one more example of our lack of system thinking in problem solving in contrast to the northern Europeans.

Norwegians are especially proud of their opera building that was constructed in 2007 (the decision to build was reached in 1999, and the very construction started in 2003). It is truly special and different from all other constructions I have seen so far. It resembles a glacier reaching out of the sea, one can walk over almost all of its parts, and it represents an interesting mixture of materials (stone, glass and wood inside) and forms (the contrast between spiky forms outside and in the lobby and the rounded form of interiors surrounding the entrance to the hall). Just next to the opera building (located not far from downtown), there is a port area with fairly large area with a number of containers for freight shipping. Our Oslo tour guide explained they plan to urbanize the space until 2013 and move the container port outside the city. Therefore, the place shall, in a couple of years, see the rise of top restaurants, bars and urban villas, thereby emphasizing the opera building even more in such an environment. This is yet another approach of Scandinavian system thinking to solving the urbanizational problems within the interest of overall society. I hope we in Zagreb shall soon have a modern overall urbanisational plan as well, modeled based on systematic approach and following the interest for further developing the city as well. It should be crystal clear what are the priorities in terms of large scale initiatives/projects that should be undertaken, for city to get a new, contemporary and unique dimension which should put us in the company of best looking and most charming European capitals. If Scandinavians succesfully act in such a manner – there is no reason for us not to do the same.

Scandinavians are world famous for their impressive minimalistic design. It can be clearly seen in their approach to urbanism, but also in their world of branded products – lots of them can stongly atribute their success and achievement of competitive edge to their interesting and functional design. Companies such as IKEA and Nokia are truly examples of companies reaching global breakthroughs with their unique design and efficient operations. They thus became the world standard for the industries of assembled furniture and cell phones. Overal number of Scandinavian multinational companies is impressive, especially if one considers these are relatively small countries with about five million people – except for Sweden where almost ten million people live. Apart from the mentioned IKEA and Nokia, let us mention some other companies that have global success, such as Ericsson, Volvo, Electrolux, H&M, Lego, Tele2, Carlsberg and Maersk. This ability to develop global brands which is very rare in small countries shows the Scandinavian approach to work, labor and development of products and services is globally successful and recognized everywhere. The success could be interpreted as a combination of their unique design and above average innovation with willingness to take some calculated risks and to move one in the case of mistakes are realized. Success ingrediants also lie in their active approach to life and work, as well as the simplicity, pragmatism and tendency to practice system thinking in problem solving.

Can we, on the other hand, imagine one or two global companies coming from Croatia, with headquarters locally, realizing global presence, being recognizable and successful with their products and services? This will be hard indeed with our current approach to work, where the dominant focus of Croatian companies is not that much on the creation of superior products, services or effective business models that can simply be transferred and successfully work in any other market – but on local (or regional at best) domination based on strong personal contacts and positions that the company realizes on markets where they do business – using this position and expanding their business to additional areas compatible to the basic business activity. The situation is anyway very much the same in all other countries that went through the transition from socialism to capitalism – I cannot recall any single globally known and successful brand coming from such markets. It remains to be seen in years to come whether the Croatian entrepreneurs and managers will manage to change their mental habits and think more of global opportunities and how to persue them succesfully.

When sightseeing in Copenhagen, I noticed the fairly modern opera building that can too (probably not as much as the one in Oslo) be considered a masterpiece of contemporary design. The guide told us the building was constructed based on donations from the family that owns the globally famous Carlsberg brewery. Then we also learned that significant number of museums and more important sights in Copenhagen were likewise constructed thanks to donations from wealthy Danish families. This made me think as I, in vain, tried to remember similar great sites constructed by Croatian riches.

On the other hand, I noticed global world brands have not penetrated Denmark so much to destroy the local ones. Let us be clear, there are all famous world brands available in stores, but here there was no process of selling all the banks and telecommunication companies as in Croatia and international retailers are not that strong as in Croatia. For example, their strongest banks and teleoperators are in domestic ownership, foreign supermarket chains do not play a more significant role in the Danish market, and Danes in general are fairly nationally oriented and conscious. We could even say Scandinavians practice a certain kind of protectionism in terms of protecting domestic capital vs. the foreign one.

Giving it a further thought, we can conclude that it is perfectly logical Danes act “in a nationally conscious way” i.e. that they prefer purchasing home products even without silly campaigns such as “Buy Danish” o similar. We can see as well that this is a consequence of the proper system of values and not coincidence. People simply see this is as rational behavior and the behavior that pays off long term. They can think about this every time they walk past the building of the Danish opera or one of the numerous museums and sights, constructed by Danish wealthy people. How could they not, then, purchase products and services that will help home companies and their owners, when they know this will be returned to society, through different forms of donations from which the whole society profits?

But, can the rich behave as big charity and investment donators if they are not supported adequately by the state, which also protects their capital and support them strongly in their development? The answer is of course: NO. Talking to numerous successful Croatian entrepreneurs, I heard comments that there is no enough thought through and systematic support from the state when they try to reach out to new markets, even though stimulating export represents strong national interest. There is even a list of examples that foreign capital is actually given precedence in relation to home capital, which is absurd (although I am not to undermining the necessity of supporting foreign investments).

On the other hand, should the state protect home capital and entrepreneurs if they do not behave in a socially responsible manner. The answer is of course: NO. There are so many examples in Croatia of companies not even paying their vendors and employees on time (sometimes even not at all). Imagine people managing those companies practicing the higher forms of socially responsible behavior such as donations to deprived groups of people or subsidizing culture. Not likely. Their focus is only their own and short term profit and growth of their wealth at the expense of everybody else. And system in Croatia unfortunately often favours the ones skillful in manouvring the system imperfactions and behaving in their own interest only. Scandinavian rich are also far more considerate on how they spend their money. They do not show off in a tasteless and inappropriate ways. One more example that simplicity is something wide spread here even among the rich ones.

As a consequence of mentioned different kind of behavior of Croatian riches, will the average Croatian people then purchase Croatian products because they think this will be returned to society and will they be tolerant of wealth gained by Croatian tycoons if they have the impression they do not behave in a manner that is responsible to the society and the community? The answer, of course, again, is: NO.

The consequence of all of this is – the situation quite the opposite of that in Scandinavian countries. There is the absolute lack of any system in the approach to the creation of a prosperous society and the fact we all lose – the state, entrepreneurs, and workers. Everybody plays for himself and the focus is only short term. Politicians care only about winning the next elections, employers care to maximize their profit in the short run because they do business within an unstable enviroment with limited support for development, while workers, through unions, try to keep the status quo in the sense of retaining their workplace and salaries (even though this is unsustainable and even not in their interest in the long term). These are all quite logical forms of behavior for each of the interest groups, which come as a consequence from lack of systematic approach in organizing whole system properly and optimally. status quo u smislu radnih mjesta i plaća (iako je to u trenutačnoj konstelaciji dugoročno neodrživo stanje). Sve su to logični oblici ponašanja svake od interesnih skupina, a proizlaze iz nesustavnosti pristupu organizacije cijelog sustava.

The question is, logically, based on the above, are we destined to such a fate, with no perspective or can something indeed be changed?

One of my favorite stories is the tale of the scorpion and the frog. There was a fire on the forest and while escaping from it, the scorpion reached the river bank asking the frog to transport him over the river. The frog replied it is afraid of doing so, since the scorpion might sting it and thus kill it. The scorpion said it would do no such thing because this would mean killing oneself as well – since they would be both then drown in the river. The frog was thinking for a moment and concluding that this sounds logical, consented and started swimming over the river with the scorpion on its back. And so, when they passed halfway across the river, in sight of the other bank, the scorpion nevertheless stings the frog. The frog says: “Why did you do that for? We shall now both drown and die!” The scorpion shrugs and says: “I cannot help if, it’s in my nature.”

It is perfectly understandable there are individuals who exhibit a true “scorpion-like” behavior – I personally know a couple of them from different areas in my life. But it is fully not understandable, unacceptable and frustrating that the whole nation/state behaves in such a manner. We live in 21st century where a systematic approach to system organization is inevitable if we want to survive – not to mention develop and prosper. Street smart mentality and ability to cope could have been sufficient in certain past times, but they can simply not answer all the challenges that contemporary economy and society has to offer. This require a systematic approach and cooperation on all levels, but, first of all, maturity of people to recognize the common interest of society and to find ways of persuing it collectivly.

Capitalism as a system has lately (and justly) been subject to numerous critics, especially following the economic crisis that was recently caused by the irresponsible behavior exhibited by the financial industry and by the inadequate regulation of the financial system. Furthermore, capitalism, as it is for instance present in USA, is vigorously focused on development and competitiveness, but, on the other hand, cruel, ruthless and at times insufficiently humane and socialy responsible. This is probably not something most Croatians would want to copy.

Scandinavian countries represent often quoted example of the balance between a successful capitalist system and great social responsibility – something most people would probably hold as the ideal social construction. What I tried to present in this text is a personal perception of why I think these countries are successful in the creation of such a system and describe what are the values they cherish and why these values represent some of key elements to their success. The whole point is that success is deeply rooted in the maturity of all segments of the society enabling system thinking and long term approach to be practiced in all aspects of their lives. In order to replicate this in Croatia, we need a deep change at all levels in a way we think and act.

It remains to be seen whether we shall continue with scorpion-like behavior as the whole nation or we shall find ways to start perceiving the world around us in a more systematic manner, understanding we cannot only act egotistically since we have wider responsibility to ourselves, people around us and our successors. The required transformation is not simple (and demands certain sacrifices in the short and medium term), but it is necessary if we want to build a system that is sustainable and prosperous in the long term and in order to find our path to the overall wellbeing. Scandinavian countries provide a clear model we should follow.

Josip Muller
18. 7. 2010.