FreedomFest 2026

In the 19th century, Sweden was one of Europe’s poorest countries. Then something remarkable happened. Radical pro-market reforms unleashed free enterprise, low taxes, and open trade, propelling Sweden to become one of the world’s richest nations by the mid-20th century. But success bred complacency. In the 1960s and 1970s, ambitious socialist experiments introduced sky-high taxes, massive welfare expansion, and heavy regulation. The result? Stagnation, soaring inflation, and a devastating financial crisis in the early 1990s that nearly bankrupted the country. Rainer Zitelmann narrates this gripping documentary that traces Sweden’s breathtaking rise and dramatic fall, revealing the hidden economic forces that built—and almost destroyed—a modern miracle. Eye-opening, timely, and packed with surprising lessons for today, it’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand what truly drives prosperity.