Where to Invade Next
Where to Invade Next presents a unique perspective on global social policies through the lens of American filmmaker Michael Moore as he embarks on a journey across several countries, primarily in Europe, to showcase various societal approaches that differ from those in the United States.
The film’s premise revolves around Moore’s fictional mission to “invade” these nations, not for their resources or land, but for their ideas and social practices. He visits Italy, France, Finland, Slovenia, Germany, Portugal, Norway, Tunisia, and Iceland, focusing on specific aspects of their social systems that he believes could benefit American society.
In Italy, Moore highlights the generous worker benefits, including extended paid vacations and parental leave. He speaks with executives from companies like Lardini and Ducati to understand how these policies impact business and worker satisfaction. Moving to France, the documentary shifts its focus to education, particularly the approach to school meals and sex education.
Finland’s education system takes center stage as Moore discusses their policy of minimal homework and standardized testing with the Finnish Minister of Education. The film then transitions to Slovenia, where the concept of debt-free higher education is explored through conversations with university officials and the country’s president.
Germany’s segment covers labor rights, work-life balance, and the nation’s approach to teaching its complex history. Portugal’s drug decriminalization policy and universal healthcare system are featured, along with their abolition of the death penalty.
The documentary then takes viewers to Norway, where the humane prison system is showcased. Moore visits both minimum and maximum-security facilities to understand their rehabilitation-focused approach. Tunisia’s segment focuses on women’s rights, including reproductive health and their role in the country’s recent political changes.
In Iceland, the film highlights women in positions of power, including an interview with the world’s first democratically elected female president. The country’s handling of the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent prosecution of bankers is also discussed.
Throughout Where to Invade Next, Moore draws comparisons between these international practices and their American counterparts. He emphasizes that many of the progressive ideas he encounters abroad have roots in American history, such as the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment and the early labor movement’s fight for better working conditions.
The documentary concludes by reflecting on how these foreign policies and practices might be applied in the United States. Moore suggests that by adopting some of these approaches, America could potentially address various social and economic challenges it faces.