Is Nordic Socialism real? No it is not. Despite the exceptions we are very liberal and capitalistic. Economic freedom is tied with US.
Yes, government owns stocks but doesn’t generally interfere in the business, excluding rarer and rarer occasions. They are buffer funds for different sectors, pension system, science funding, etc.
Health sector is socialized, and that is where the majority of public workers are. That mainly exlains the high amount of public workers. It is not best possible system but but it is not socialism either and much more efficient than healthcare in US. There are many doctors from abroad for example and I suspect they are working for peanuts compared to Finns. Nurses have the lowest salaries in EU and that explains mainly why healthcare is so cost efficient.
Workers rights are heavily regulated and enforced. But there are ways around those rules so the reality is completely different. Many work outside of those rules for loyalty to employer and many are “freelancers” or rent workers. Trying to enforce strict union rules could make you unwanted in the job market.
Generally companies take good care of their workforce because keeping the good people is essential for the companys success.
Living on wellfare 750€ vs working for basic salary of 2000€ per month is like day and night, very few are unemployed by choice.
Living while studying is financed by loan or working so it is not that free. You generally accumulate around 20 000–40 000€ loan if you study in university.
State monopolies like Alko are curiosities and constantly under high political pressure of dismanteling
