Richard Orange (Opinion, 6 February) chooses to describe the Swedish concept of lagom as being based in Lutheran principles of self-denial, thereby inviting it to be seen as puritan and killjoy. Quite apart from the fact that, as with all Christian principles, the believer is called to apply self-denial to his or her own behaviour, not to impose it on others, lagom has an appeal way beyond religious ethics. We live in a world where we are encouraged to see continuous increase in the consumption of stuff as the only sure measure of political and personal success, ignoring that the Earth’s resources are finite. In this country we pay only lip service to the condemnation of a western culture of conspicuous waste, and we walk away from institutions formed to enhance individuals’ quality of life by cooperating in the development of social welfare.
A move as simple as the recent Swedish government decision to cut VAT on the repair of possessions shows an understanding that real improvement in the quality of life requires more than simple acquisitiveness. Lagom gives practical expression to secular action on the protection of the planet, and a start to reducing inequality in global living standards. The fact that it reinforces religious warnings on the unwisdom of basing personal fulfilment on amassing goods, and on self-indulgence, is incidental.
Maurice Vassie
Deighton, North Yorkshire
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