This blog belongs to Carl-Mikael A. Teglund - exile-Swede who likes globalization, freedom of speech, social mobility, creativity and unspoiled nature. I am just finishing my Economic History MA degree at Uppsala University, although writing a huge part of it at the University of Iceland. I also have a BA in the English language. My former goal was to be a senior-high school teacher in English and History, but I’ve changed direction recently and have new dreams and hopes. Although I sometimes feel I’m heading towards destination unknown I am quite pleased with my situation. At the moment I reside in the central parts of the northernmost capital of the world, Reykjavik (at this place, to be exact). On my spare time I like to debate/discuss/and philosophy about politics, dance salsa, listen to music, play the guitar and the Irish tin whistle and sing, paint fantasy miniature figures, read about history-related stuff, and be with my girlfriend Sara and my friends and family.
My political thoughts are all built on the spirit of liberty. I am in favor of social progressivism, individual freedom as a central objective, although, I believe that lack of a basic supply of education and health-care ought to be considered as a threat to people’s conception of liberty. I am a staunch supporter of the idea that individual liberty ought to be maximized as far as possible. I believe it is a just cause to defend human rights and civil liberties all around the world, with force if so needed, when these values are being threatened and neglected. I am also proud to say that I am pro globalization, boundless immigration and a market economy (capitalism). I also find it very important to make sure that we preserve our nature (I am not a global warming denialist) and the cultural heritage of our ancestors.
Since 2002, I am a member of the Moderate Party in Sweden and a supporter of The Independence Party of Iceland (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn). However, this is problematic for me. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, organizations, institutions and parties are equals of prisons. They undermine the individual’s spontaneity and obstructs his awareness of his own thoughts & feelings. Consequently, I am very skeptic towards political parties. Parties will always demand obedience and true heroes and heroines stay true only to their own individual belief and refuse to follow the masses. Although my support to the Moderate Party and other non-socialist parties around the world, no party can really satisfy my needs and I do not think I would like to be a politician. As Ayn Rand wrote about compromising: “In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit“.
I want man to be like a never-falling Icarus - spreading the wings forever reaching new heights no matter the obstacles that may be in our way …
Now that is a powerful endorsement!
Word!