@JTT,
Sweden has not been very happy about being so close to Russia.
Russia–Sweden relations date back to the 10th century; a group of Swedish Vikings called Varangians are believed to have founded new states that were later to evolve into Russia.
11 wars have been fought between Russia and Sweden, the first in the 15th century and the last one in 1808-1809.
Russia was a communistic country and under brutal dictators.
Sweden is a combination of capatalism and being social democratic. It seems to work out very well.
A few decades ago Swden had a tendency to be more socialistic and it did not work out. The big firms simply left to a great extend.