Beacon of Light Redux

Professor Reynolds surrebuts Eric Alterman on the Sweden vs. Mississippi debate. Reynolds concedes that Mississippi may not be wealthier than Sweden, but accepts Alterman's concession on the other points of Swedish non-exceptionalism. For me, though, the real point is at the end of Reynolds post where he points out that for many, including Alterman, Sweden does remain a beacon of light.

Which raises the question, why would anyone have a vested emotional interest in proving that his country is inferior to another country? Certainly, we all do not have to be hyper-chauvinist, and objectivity is a good thing, but it seems perverse or pathological for someone to have an emotional stake in proving the inadequacy of one's own country.