Do Countries Like Denmark Show That Socialism Works ?

[Ygrene Imref]

Has there been any socialist country where the power has been in the hands of the people?

No, because there has never been a perfect leader(ship) in which the leader(ship) has been incorruptible.

There is only one human alive that is Perfect. He isn't running earthly kingdoms.

 

[SolomonVII]

Scandinavian countries are not really socialist. They have lower corporate tax rates than America at the moment.
Their citizens are highly taxed, and the government supplies many goods and services, like education and health care, and child care universally.
Without a vibrant economy, and a population instilled with a strong work ethic and a belief in communal responsibility, this communal welfare would be unviable, and indeed there have been signs that the system as a whole is not going to be sustainable.
Of course, America now supplies all of the defense needs through NATO, so what was once the primary job of government is obsolete and outsourced at no cost. There is a bit of a false economy there for sure.
But more ominously, as the population gets more diverse, without people buying into the communal ethic of universal provision, cracks are beginning to appear. To have a smorgasboard, which is a Scandinavian ideal, everybody must share. In a feast with Swedes, everybody does share. But, I have been to smorgasboard in 'diverse' communities now, and seen families bring their own food to their table, and go back to the communal table for variety. It is relatively easy to work under the table for black market money, and collect welfare above the table. If people do not have the work ethic, or have no emotional connection to providing for somebody else's blond Nordic gandmas and grandpas through above the table taxes, the system breaks down.
To sum, Scandinavian economies are not socialistic. Their universal social programs require high individual tax rates, and strong economies in order to be paid for, so corporations are given freedom to be innovative and capitalistic. Even then, there are signs of unsustainability. The major expense of national defense is outsourced, and as their populations become more diverse, less people are buying in to the idea of paying their own money into providing services for people they feel no affinity to in the first place.
Those are the problems that Denmark is facing in the future.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

That's a real bad problem combined with "power", isn't it?

It's a problem for many who trusted in the leadership of those they elected. It's like the chickens electing the sly fox to guard their henhouse. God makes this prophetic point in Daniel 4:17

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I would respectfully, but vehemently disagree - unless I misunderstand you.

Most want to be rich but aren't willing to do what is necessary to get rich. They 'settle' for much less than they are capable of attaining. One reason is that simply 'getting rich' with no higher purpose for doing so is rather poor motivation. Having 'settled' many find they are quite content living a modest lifestyle.

 

[brinny]

No, because there has never been a perfect leader(ship) in which the leader(ship) has been incorruptible.

There is only one human alive that is Perfect. He isn't running earthly kingdoms.

Perhaps that is why it is advisable to have a checks and balances built in to a country's constitution, And that is because man IS imperfect, and should NEVER EVER have undue power and be accountable to no one.

 

[brinny]

It's a problem for many who trusted in the leadership of those they elected. It's like the chickens electing the sly fox to guard their henhouse. God makes this prophetic point in Daniel 4:17

Yes, it is advisable to not "worship" mere men, and to never allow a system in place where one's voice is not heard or allowed.

 

[FireDragon76]

Rape and suicide are underreported in the US.

 

[Ygrene Imref]

Perhaps that is why it is advisable to have a checks and balances built in to a country's constitution, And that is because man IS imperfect, and should NEVER EVER have undue power and be accountable to no one.

It doesn't really matter, corruption will always follow unless the leader(ship) is perfect.

If you don't mind corruption in you government, then there are plenty of hybrid systems. But, every system on this planet is destined to fall. It becomes an issue of "which generation will be the generation to witness that fall."

 

[brinny]

It doesn't really matter, corruption will always follow unless the leader(ship) is perfect.

If you don't mind corruption in you government, then there are plenty of hybrid systems. But, every system on this planet is destined to fall. It becomes an issue of "which generation will be the generation to witness that fall."

That's why checks and balances are necessary. No one should have SOLE power to impose their power, unchecked, on thousands who have no defense, because their very livelihood, and ultimately their very lives, are dependent on the whims of that one source of power.

 

[Dawnhammer]

 

[brinny]

Not everyone agrees with that very well put together propaganda piece.

Nice try, though.

 

[Ygrene Imref]

That's why checks and balances are necessary. No one should have SOLE power to impose their power, unchecked, on thousands who have no defense, because their very livelihood, and ultimately their very lives, are dependent on the whims of that one source of power.

It doesn't matter how balanced things are on paper if there is corruption on such a scale as the leader(ship). The checks and balances can always be fashioned to serve one source of power.

It eventually goes to corruption, and then the empire/nation will fall.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Yes, it is advisable to not "worship" mere men, and to never allow a system in place where one's voice is not heard or allowed.

That's the beauty of America. You can 'drop out' and still thrive.

 

[Christie insb]

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)

 

[brinny]

A take on Democratic Socialism, or bottom line, Socialism. Denmark is mentioned:

 

[brinny]

That's the beauty of America. You can 'drop out' and still thrive.

i think i know what you mean...

would you mind elaborating?

 

[brinny]

It doesn't matter how balanced things are on paper if there is corruption on such a scale as the leader(ship). The checks and balances can always be fashioned to serve one source of power.

It eventually goes to corruption, and then the empire/nation will fall.

You mean like in Venezuela and Cuba, for instance?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

i think i know what you mean...

would you mind elaborating?

By 'dropping out' I mean shedding all or most social involvements in favor of pursuing your personal goal (leaving the 'bar scene' and other nonproductive activities for example).

You can succeed personally and financially without being involved in politics, being "well connected", "to the manor born", or even well educated. Anyone, of any station or background, can be successful in America if they are willing to work at it. This might also mean limiting involvement with friends and family as these groups are seldom helpful in one's pursuit of success.

 

[brinny]

By 'dropping out' I mean shedding all or most social involvements in favor of pursuing your personal goal (leaving the 'bar scene' and other nonproductive activities for example).

You can succeed personally and financially without being involved in politics, being "well connected", "to the manor born", or even well educated. Anyone, of any station or background, can be successful in America if they are willing to work at it. This might also mean limiting involvement with friends and family as these groups are seldom helpful in one's pursuit of success.

Yer sounding a bit like Dave Ramsey.

He calls it "focus".

 

[rturner76]

By 'dropping out' I mean shedding all or most social involvements in favor of pursuing your personal goal (leaving the 'bar scene' and other nonproductive activities for example).

You can succeed personally and financially without being involved in politics, being "well connected", "to the manor born", or even well educated. Anyone, of any station or background, can be successful in America if they are willing to work at it. This might also mean limiting involvement with friends and family as these groups are seldom helpful in one's pursuit of success.

I think it is an individual experience how helpful or hurtful one's family and/or friends are to their success. They certainly can be moochers but they can also be the one to give you that help you need to get a downpayment fora house, car, or business start up. Some provide free labor while you are trying to get your business up and running or they let you owe them. The biggest moochers in my life were my spouse's family,almost like I had to pay family fees for being with their sister/cousin/niece but then one of them would fix my car, help me move, do some painting, or yard work for me on the cheap like for a few beers so sometimes I got a benefit. My sister bailed me out of a payday loan situation I got stuck in. Then when she moved out of town and didn't have a car, I swnt her my tricked out bicycle that cast a thousand dollars all together. So family cam look out for you ir turn their back on you. Like I was staying with my brother and went in the hospital and lost my job. He kicked me out while I was still in the hospital cause I wasn't working. That's kind of why we need government help cause if you have a family you can;t depend on, you aren't just eating out of garbage cans and sleeping under a bridge right away.