You aren’t typically a member of a union if you work in tech in Sweden. Some unions are also very passive, basically just an insurance.
Crediting unions with the inventions and companies seems quite optimistic. Imho, they were at best a method for avoiding a working class/socialist revolution in the early 1900s and for supporting blue collar workers in general.
Also, Sweden isn’t socialist, and socialism isn’t equal to democracy.
Being scared of the S word is kind of silly and assuming socialism equals totalitarian Stalinism or Communism is just plain wrong.
Third -- if you work in tech you might very well be a member of for example "Unionen" (660.000 members, myself included) or "Sveriges Ingenjorer" if you're an actual engineer.
The opposite of socialism is not capitalism, as is usually portrayed.
For me, the opposite is what happens when accountability towards the people and greater good is nowhere to be found. Be it through unregulated free market corporations, organisation and politics or a totalitarian dictatorship.
Both corrupt and destroy and one thing is common: lack of accountability.
Also, I like talking about ”socialist Sweden” whenever an American talks about the horrors of unions, regulations and government.
Crediting unions with the inventions and companies seems quite optimistic. Imho, they were at best a method for avoiding a working class/socialist revolution in the early 1900s and for supporting blue collar workers in general.
Also, Sweden isn’t socialist, and socialism isn’t equal to democracy.