In one of Rainer Zitelmann's studies, people from several countries were asked to state, among other things, whether they agreed with the statement that rich people should pay very high taxes because in this way the state can reduce the gap between rich and poor.
In Sweden, only 32 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, while in the United States the same figure was 36 percent. In France and Germany, as many as 53 percent and 52 percent respectively said that the rich should pay very high taxes.
Influenced by history
As an explanation for the Swedes' position, Rainer Zitelmann highlights Sweden's economic history. According to him, the tax system of the 1970s caused the rich to move away from Sweden, citing IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad as an example.
"First he moved to Denmark and then Switzerland. The situation was better for him in Switzerland, he tells SVT's Idébyrån.
Zitelmann believes that the fact that rich people left the country was negative for Sweden, but according to him led to a change.
"Sweden changed its policy and attitudes towards the rich also changed. Now Sweden has even more billionaires than the US per capita.
Hear more about why wealth fascinates us in Idébyrån on SVT Play.