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The problem is one of implementation. You need low corruption for a system like that to work. The U.S. government and far too many of its citizens are too corrupt for such a system to work here. And I'm not entirely sure I'd want it even if it could work well here. It still involves some major trade offs.
I thought that was what competition was supposed to solve. Coke doesn't keep prices lower because it loves its customers. It does it because of Pepsi.
What do you suppose keeps bad municipal laws in check? If backyard barbecues are outlawed, people can move. There are also enough of them to provide better examples. In other words municipalities and states do have competitive pressure.
Thats why states should make more of the laws and the federal government as an inherent monopoly should make fewer.
Wasn't that the plan? Wouldn't corruption in 50 states be a little bit more manageable? I'll bet Minnesota might look a lot like Denmark.
So with our national government , yeah, can't fix crazy with anything.
Socialism might work in places where the vast majority of the population are similar and can relate to one another culturally. If you can relate to someone, having to monetarily help them isn't such a big deal. In the case of Denmark, its a highly homogeneous country of white, Christian (or culturally Christian) Danes.
Not the case in the US. We have a highly pluralistic society. Many of the different demographic groups have such different cultures it is hard for them to relate to one another. That translates to people not being as willing to pay taxes that could go to the "other" groups.
Socialism might work in places where the vast majority of the population are similar and can relate to one another culturally.
More to the point, a high level of social benefits are easier to implement if the public isn't constantly inundated with propaganda expounding that greed and selfishness are virtues of the highest order.
Don't get me wrong, the nordic model does do some things well. But this "THESE PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN A PARADISE!!!!" hype coming from some people is total ****e. Don't believe the hype.
I haven't seen anyone claim that, or even elude to it.
I don't know how much you are plugged into US news and media, but the common perception here is that "socialism" just plain sucks in every way, and we have nothing to learn from other sociopolitical systems. Places where the average person is wealthier, healthier, and happier than here.
The problem is one of implementation. You need low corruption for a system like that to work. The U.S. government and far too many of its citizens are too corrupt for such a system to work here. And I'm not entirely sure I'd want it even if it could work well here. It still involves some major trade offs.
Agree + 20 with this.
Although I would associate efficiency rather than corruption. These European countries mention are extremely efficient and the culture (singular) supports Gov't operations of the programs.
That is not the case in the US. Our fed Gov't is a huge flopping machine that runs inefficiently in any number of ways. And the feds are the ones to be concerned with on this.
If I trusted our Government to do a better job I would be more in favor of the proposed socialist democratic notion. But they aren't, they don't and they won't.
P.S. lived over there for many years and can agree the quality of life is wonderful and I marvel at how efficient and rule based society is AND how cooperative the people are at complying with rules and government direction. That is not us though.
Great article, but you forgot Denmark is not that socialist. Denmark has high taxes, and good welfare, but it also has little regulations. And I see progressives demanding new regulations all the time.
Also, it is important to note that other scandinavian countries are not doing that well. Norway is struggeling with the low oil prices, Sweden is getting crushed by immigrants, and Finland economy has been declining for the last 7 years.
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