Do Countries Like Denmark Show That Socialism Works ?

[Tomm]

Myth — Countries Like Denmark Show That Socialism Works
The success of Nordic countries is based on the fact that historically they have relied on free-markets and protection of private property. The only exception is a short period in Sweden (see myth #2) wherein socialist policies crippled growth and job creation. Nordic nations do have high taxes and generous welfare, but in many other regards they have unusually free markets.

You don’t have to take this from me, just listen to Danish prime minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. After seeing his country held up as an example in the American presidential debate, he felt obliged to tell student in a 2015 speech at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, “I know that some people in the U.S. associate the Nordic model with some sort of socialism. Therefore I would like to make one thing clear. Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy. Denmark is a market economy.”

A quick glance at the latest country ranking in the Index of Economic Freedom confirms that Rasmussen is right, and that the American left are wrong in viewing Denmark as their prime example of socialism. Denmark has only a marginally lower economic freedom score than the US — in last year’s ranking, Denmark was marginally ahead of the US. That’s because Denmark, like the other Nordic countries, compensates for a large public sectors by having market-oriented policies in other fields.

When it comes to areas such as business regulations, trade policy, investment freedom, vouchers in the provision of education, elderly care and health care, and partial privatization of retirement savings, Nordic countries are among the most free-market in the world. In fact, in these areas, the US has a lot to learn from Denmark and the other Nordic countries.

(By Nima Sanandaji - 5 Myths About Nordic Socialism Peddled By the Left)

 

[Truth7t7]

Iceland PM steps aside after protests over Panama Papers revelations

Myth — Countries Like Denmark Show That Socialism Works
The success of Nordic countries is based on the fact that historically they have relied on free-markets and protection of private property. The only exception is a short period in Sweden (see myth #2) wherein socialist policies crippled growth and job creation. Nordic nations do have high taxes and generous welfare, but in many other regards they have unusually free markets.

You don’t have to take this from me, just listen to Danish prime minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. After seeing his country held up as an example in the American presidential debate, he felt obliged to tell student in a 2015 speech at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, “I know that some people in the U.S. associate the Nordic model with some sort of socialism. Therefore I would like to make one thing clear. Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy. Denmark is a market economy.”

A quick glance at the latest country ranking in the Index of Economic Freedom confirms that Rasmussen is right, and that the American left are wrong in viewing Denmark as their prime example of socialism. Denmark has only a marginally lower economic freedom score than the US — in last year’s ranking, Denmark was marginally ahead of the US. That’s because Denmark, like the other Nordic countries, compensates for a large public sectors by having market-oriented policies in other fields.

When it comes to areas such as business regulations, trade policy, investment freedom, vouchers in the provision of education, elderly care and health care, and partial privatization of retirement savings, Nordic countries are among the most free-market in the world. In fact, in these areas, the US has a lot to learn from Denmark and the other Nordic countries.

(By Nima Sanandaji - 5 Myths About Nordic Socialism Peddled By the Left)

 

[RC1970]

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” ~ Margaret Thatcher

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Those huge trade surpluses with America allow a lot of social programs that other nations can't afford. It is those programs that are held up as indicators of the success of 'socialism'.

 

[RC1970]

Those huge trade surpluses with America allow a lot of social programs that other nations can't afford. It is those programs that are held up as indicators of the success of 'socialism'.

Not to mention the fact that the US pays for a good deal of Europe's defense. What is Denmark's defense spending as a percentage of GDP?

 

[brinny]

Isn't Denmark inundated with a ever-growing rape rate? And aren't other Nordic countries plagued with the same thing?

Perhaps, before any mention is made of whatever their economy is based on, this should be dealt with?

There's also the issues with depression and suicide, etc., isn't it?

There's also allegations that this is "covered up" by the powers that be. That alone, is demoralizing and depressing.

Is any of it true? I can post a video that speaks on it. There are others i've seen also. It certainly raises some valid concerns.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Isn't Denmark inundated with a ever-growing rape rate? And aren't other Nordic countries plagued with the same thing?

Perhaps, before any mention is made of whatever their economy is based on, this should be dealt with?

There's also the issues with depression and suicide, etc., isn't it?

There's also allegations that this is "covered up" by the powers that be. That alone, is demoralizing and depressing.

Is any of it true? I can post a video that speaks on it. There are others i've seen also. It certainly raises some valid concerns.

I know that Sweden had a pretty high suicide rate some time ago.

 

[brinny]

I know that Sweden had a pretty high suicide rate some time ago.

How long ago? And was there a reason why?

Thanks for the feedback.

I've read and seen videos that they are amongst the saddest countries in the world.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Not to mention the fact that the US pays for a good deal of Europe's defense. What is Denmark's defense spending as a percentage of GDP?

They rank pretty low along with other European democracies.

Denmark Military expenditures - percent of GDP - Military

 

[OldWiseGuy]

How long ago? And was there a reason why?

Thanks for the feedback.

I've read and seen videos that they are amongst the saddest countries in the world.

It might be those long winters. Alaska has a big suicide problem as well. I was there on vacation once and asked a resident how they got through those long winters. He replied, "We drink our way through it".

 

[brinny]

It might be those long winters. Alaska has a big suicide problem as well. I was there on vacation once and asked a resident how they got through those long winters. He replied, "We drink our way through it".

Yeah, i read that the Nordic countries drink lots and take all kinds of pills to numb them to their misery and their patch up attempts to deal with their profound depression. Taxes were mentioned and the cost of living, amongst other things which is astronomical, and demoralizing. What else is demoralizing and depressing is the fact that when someone has the courage to come forth about a rape, etc. it's swept under the rug, so to speak.

How depressing.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

How long ago? And was there a reason why?

Thanks for the feedback.

I've read and seen videos that they are amongst the saddest countries in the world.

Lot's of conflicting opinions on Sweden's suicide rate.

Swedish youth suicides hit 25-year high

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Yeah, i read that the Nordic countries drink lots and take all kinds of pills to numb them to their misery and their patch up attempts to deal with their profound depression. Taxes were mentioned and the cost of living, amongst other things which is astronomical, and demoralizing. What else is demoralizing and depressing is the fact that when someone has the courage to come forth about a rape, etc. it's swept under the rug, so to speak.

How depressing.

They may think that rape is the least of their problems.

 

[brinny]

Lot's of conflicting opinions on Sweden's suicide rate.

Swedish youth suicides hit 25-year high

Tragic.

No wonder it's one of the saddest countries in the world.

 

[brinny]

They may think that rape is the least of their problems.

i dunno about that....when rape is rampant and there are no consequences, it's demoralizing to the degree that it might have connections to part of the suicidal tendencies and/or actual suicides.

How sad.

 

[FireDragon76]

Isn't Denmark inundated with a ever-growing rape rate? And aren't other Nordic countries plagued with the same thing?

Scandinavian countries have different rates of reporting rape, but that doesn't mean the countries are actually more dangerous for women.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Scandinavian countries have different rates of reporting rape, but that doesn't mean the countries are actually more dangerous for women.

Haven't they been inundated recently with sexually repressed immigrants that are causing some of those problems as well?

 

[brinny]

Scandinavian countries have different rates of reporting rape, but that doesn't mean the countries are actually more dangerous for women.

See post #17.

 

[brinny]

Haven't they been inundated with sexually repressed immigrants lately as well?

The term would be "migrants", and yes i believe you may be correct.

 

[rturner76]

Isn't Denmark inundated with a ever-growing rape rate? And aren't other Nordic countries plagued with the same thing?

Perhaps, before any mention is made of whatever their economy is based on, this should be dealt with?

There's also the issues with depression and suicide, etc., isn't it?

There's also allegations that this is "covered up" by the powers that be. That alone, is demoralizing and depressing.

Is any of it true? I can post a video that speaks on it. There are others i've seen also. It certainly raises some valid concerns.

If you want to see high rape rates, just go to any American University. The only reason people don't know about the astronomically high incidents of rape on campus and "date rape" is because many women are discouraged from making reports and also shamed for "putting themselves in that situation." "You know how men are." "You will destroy this boy's entire future for a misunderstanding, he'll never be able to get a job." Even with physical evidence from a doctor it's "your word against his." If they have higher rates, it's likely that it gets reported and prosecuted more often,not that it happens more often but of course I could be wrong.

The Nordic countries do have a free market economy but they have a few differences that we could learn from. One a national healthcare system. Two, crude oil and energy in wither owned outright or mostly owned by the government so there isno price gouging for energy and everything is up to the highest standards of green emissions and waste management. Next, they have high standards in education and pay their teachers a professional wage, not as little as they can get away with. They have free or reduced priced college so more people graduate and the economy operates with higher level higher paying jobs in engineering,medical, and science fields. There are a few other things but this is starting to get long and I want people to read it. They have free markets but they take care of their citizens as well. They also aren't burdened with the institutional racism and second class citizen system we have here. They do have it in the way of foreign and citizen though. Much more difficult to become a citizen.