On the Freakonomics blog over at The New York Times we are told that, all things considered, the United States and the Nordic countries spend about the same on social welfare services. According to Price Fishback, an economics professor, the Nordic system of redistributing the wealth is so inefficient that it seems more generous when in fact it's just more obtrusive. When you consider that Nordic welfare recipients pay more in taxes (including that regressive 25% VAT) and live in a higher cost environment, they're supposedly no better off than the poor in Detroit. One problem with the analysis is that so many poor Americans fall through the net completely and don't get what the statistics suggest.

NATO's hope of stabilizing Afghanistan fortunately does not depend the Nordic countries, but their armed forces have made an impact. The Danes have been a spearhead in hazardous Helmand province, while the Norwegians and Swedes have shown their flags in the north. That solidarity may crumble if Sweden's center-right government  loses in this fall's election to the formidable "red-green" coalition, two of whose members gave called for a pullout. Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, of the Moderates, wants Swedes instead to prepare for long years of continued engagement.  Yesterday in Kabul he told Svenska Dagbladet: "I find it difficult to set an end date for the Swedish effort, but in five years we'll definitely still be here in some form."

Everyone knows Greece's beggarly status. But the EU Commission says Denmark is among four other countries that have run up unsustainable deficits. That has the famously self-doubting Danes ( ". . . that is the question") wondering if their luxuriant social policies are doomed. Under the headline "Farewell Welfare State," Berlingske Tidende's Poul Høi writes today: "It's not just the warm countries that have to cut back on their pensions and social services. The cold countries, too, have to make some cold calculations and reconsider their social model."

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Swedish adventurer Tony Berglund set a new world record today for the fastest vertical run -- 100 meters down the front of a building in Vasteras, Sweden. Berglund cut more than a second from the previous record of 36.25 seconds, held by Britain's Steve Jones. "I defeated the forces of nature and my own fears", Berglund said of his feat, which naturally involved rappelling gear.

The southern European debt crisis, caused by uncontrolled government spending and accounting tricks, could undermine the progressive social agenda of Europe's far north even though political leaders here are better at math. Germany, the EU bailer-in-chief, has lashed out at Greek excess, and now it's Scandinavia's turn. "Swedish taxpayers and other taxpayers should not have to pay so the Greeks can retire with a pension in their 40s,” said Anders Borg, the Swedish finance minister, as quoted by Svenska Dagbladet. Jens Stoltenberg, the Norwegian prime minister, added, “The welfare model we’ve known in Europe for several decades is under pressure because many countries can’t pay for it."

A few hours ago the aluminum producer Hydro, Norway's second-largest company, announced it will pay Vale S.A. about $5 billion in cash and stock for majority ownership of a vast bauxite mine and refinery in Brazil, ensuring Hydro access to raw materials for 100 years. Hydro is a Norwegian "champion," meaning it's largest single shareholder is the state, but the complex share transaction will reduce the state's power -- at least somewhat. Hydro got its start generating electricity from Norway's countless waterfalls and rivers.