THE FUSE

Many countries and regions are affected by war, violence, and social unrest in the world. These regions typically also face extremely serious living and economic conditions. Conversely, in richer nations with more favorable conditions, people adhere more closely to ethical standards, the law, and human principles. A prime example is the countries of Northern Europe, which experience lower rates of crime and political unrest than many other nations and consistently rank among the happiest in the world [1]. It is striking that these countries, due to harsh climatic conditions and difficult access to resources, have at times had a history marked entirely by war, violence, and malevolence.