ÜDS-Sosyal 2002-2 Soru=73

It is clear from the passage that in the establishment of a welfare state, Sweden ----.

Sweden maintained a position of neutrality during
both World Wars and this, in part at least, enabled
her to build up an elaborate structure of welfare
legislation that many larger nations were later to
imitate. The first major step was the establishment
in 1911, of old-age pensions. Economic prosperity
based on its neutralist policy enabled Sweden,
together with Norway, to pioneer in public health,
housing, and job security programs. Forty-four
years of Socialist government were ended in 1976
with the election of a conservative coalition.
Presently, the Socialists were again returned to
power, only to be ousted in September 1991. The
new coalition of four conservative parties promised
to reduce taxes and cut back on the welfare state
but not alter Sweden's traditional neutrality. Under
them, in a 1994 referendum, voters approved
joining the European Union. Although supportive of
a European monetary union, Sweden decided not
to adopt the euro when it first appeared in 1999.