Life – a user's manual Part II - Boksidan

Government infrastructure
In Sweden, as well as in many other countries, the state infrastructure consists mainly of roads (about 2/3 of
all public streets and roads), most of the rail network, many airports, sea routes, some power lines, defense
installations and facilities for the State administration. But before the 1800s, it consisted only of defense,
government buildings, sea marks, and a dozen lighthouses (most old Swedish lighthouses were built in the
1800s).
Also the roads used to be private, even if they were built at the state's command and citizens could pay the
tax in the form of work on the construction of these. The maintenance was handled by the peasants whose
land the road happened to cross. They also had the obligation to provide a ride to the disposal of the state
men. First, in 1895 the State began to contribute with a modest 10% of the cost of road maintenance, but still
the farmers had to pay the rest. 1918 the state contribution increased to 30% of the cost. And in 1944, finally
the routes in rural areas altogether were nationalized and the National Road Authority would handle
everything from construction to maintenance and snow removal.
Judiciary
The judiciary is probably society's most important function, since without it we would not dare to go on the
street or see no point in cultivating the land, build a home or run a business, since what we had built up
anytime risked being destroyed by someone who were stronger or better equipped. So it has been in all times
and therefore it has "always" been some kind of rules as to what is unacceptable (e g, moral codes or laws),
someone who decides on the laws (king or parliament), someone (police) that ensures compliance with these
rules and punishments (prisons) for those that we believe violate the rules.
As seen on the title page of the Swedish book
of law we worked on our common rules for a
long time. Of course from much earlier than the
1700s. But it was then when the law book got
it’s current structure.
And there is still today laws that appearently
are written for another time, like:
4 § 11 chapter in byggningabalken which is
about what to do with loose pigs found on
public roads when it is not winter.
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