The term socialist has been thrown around quite a bit in the past few years. Not since the cold war has the term garnered so much attention in the press and from politicians. But when you look at countries who actually have a socialist economic structure, you can see some similarities to the United States – but there are some really stark differences.
Below, you will see some of the most socialistic nations in the world today:
- China
- Denmark
- Finland
- Netherlands
- Canada
- Sweden
- Norway
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Belgium
Despite popular myths, there is very little connection between economic performance and welfare expenditure. Many of the countries on this list are proof of that, such as Denmark and Finland. Even though both countries are more socialistic than America, the workforce remains stronger.
China
In China the government manages and controls the economy. Many of the domestic companies are owned and run by the government. Recently, the Chinese economy has become more geared towards capitalism, but is still officially socialist. Life in China remains relatively less stressful and more relaxed than life in capitalist countries like America.
Denmark
Denmark has a wide range of welfare benefits that they offer their citizens. As a result, they also have the highest taxes in the world. Equality is considered the most important value in Denmark. Small businesses thrive, with over 70 percent of companies having 50 employees or less
Finland
Finland has one of the world’s best education systems, with no tuition fees and also giving free meals to their students. The literacy rate in Finland is 100 percent. Finland has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Like Denmark and other European countries, equality is considered one of the most important values in society. Whereas in the Netherlands, government control over the economy remains at a minimum, but a socialist welfare system remains. The lifestyle in the Netherlands is very egalitarian and organized, where even bosses do not discipline or treat their subordinates rudely.
Canada
Like the Netherlands, Canada also has mostly a free market economy, but has a very extensive welfare system that includes free health and medical care. Canadians remain more open-minded and liberal than Americans, and Canada is ranked as one of the best top five countries to live in by the United Nations and the Human Development Index (HDI) rankings.
Sweden
Sweden has a large welfare system, but due to a high national debt, required much government intervention in the economy. In Norway, the government controls certain key aspects of the national economy, and they also have one of the best welfare systems in the world, with Norway having one of the highest standards of living in all of Europe. Norway is not a member of the European Union.
Ireland
Ireland has arguably one of the best welfare systems in the world, with unemployment checks higher on average than Denmark or Switzerland’s average. Around 25 percent of Ireland’s GDP goes towards paying for the welfare system, as compared to 15 percent of America’ GDP towards America’s social support programs.
New Zealand
New Zealand may not be a socialist country, but the welfare system in the country is very wide ranging, offering support for housing, unemployment, health, child care, and education as well. Therefore, New Zealand has many of the characteristics of a socialist country, even while remaining officially free market.
Belgium
Lastly, Belgium has most of the same social security benefits that New Zealand offers, including invalid and old age pensions. The welfare system causes much of the country’s budget deficit though, and so is considered by some to be a burden on society.
New Zealnd
New Zealand? I thought NZ’s recent free-market reforms allowed far more foreign investment, and the World Bank in 2005 said New Zealand was the most business-friendly country in the world, just after Singapore. Or did you really mean “New Lealnd”
the most open free markets are in the most extensively socialzed countries. Graft and corruption is the true enemy of free markets, not governments doing their jobs- ensuring conditions which foster the well being of the people they govern- think Finland and Norway. Graft and corruption thrive in countries with no social satiety net and poor education opportunity. This creates a climate in which there can be no free market based on competition, and instead we see a market based on elevation of the most corrupt- think USA and its financial institutions.
Sorry Andrew but I don’t believe you understand the system of what a free market is. The free-market is exactly what it sounds like. Sure corruption definitely hurts the free markets system but most corruption is done through government. While corruption in the short run might hurt, in the long run it does not survive in a free market system. Example: the financial institutions/ Wall street in the USA like you mentioned.
Sorry Tyler, the reason that corruption is attributed to gov’t institutions is because they actually have to answer to the law set up by a social contract. In a power vacuum, and lawless world, there would technically be no corruption, because all ill-doings would be open to “interpretation”. Hence, 99 % of “free market” business corruption is passed off as “optimization”, “derivatives”, etc. Greed and corruption is institutionalized in the free market system.
Bravo, and very well said.
It’s pathetic to see how “well” a country is rated by their welfare system.
Actually the medieval origins of the free market were based on extensive regulation and protections for consumers, crafters, and sellers. It was considered a “free market” because these protections permitted the middle class to compete rather than letting the monied nobility and nouveau riche game the system for their own benefit. That was the only type of government influence it stymied; regulation and protections were integral to the free market.
You are crazy with this assumption!!!!!
Karl as in Marx. Me thought you had gone the way of the USSR amigo. Now let me guess, your socialist super powers who support the worlds police keeping missions and many of the truly needy from all over the world have got it going on eh? Maybe next time we will step aside and you can try your luck speaking German or Japanese or, perhaps Chinese or Russian.
No, y’all got it all over us and you are a typical libtard in that you have your lofty theoretical nonsense and too inept to understand reality. good luck with that.
You do realize that the more liberal countries are usually the best places to live right? Seriously look up some top ten lists
Did you know, the Americans got lost sailing to the pacific to fight the Japanese. Thought it was a relevent point to make.
doesn’t the US have the largest gdp and is extensively one of the largest contributors of innovation to the global market.
yes but how come the quality of life in Denmark is so much better than the US? Where do you spend all your money? Company bail outs and war? Your country is drowning in dept.
New Zealand is included because they have one of the best systems in the world when caring for their people. Compared to the USA it can be considered socialized in many ways. It is not about free market it’s about how they are taking care of their people.
Perhaps someone can tell me why with the supposedly extensive social welfare systems in places such as Denmark and Sweden the people do not take advantage? Or do they and we just don’t hear about it. Is there not an entitlement attitude in these places?
How do you contrast this with the out of control entitlements in the US. Why isn’t the government in Sweden and Denmark buying votes with entitlements.
Can you even compare these places to the US. they have no real economy.
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
You do know those countries do not have really any type of military, very small. Socialism would never work in the United States . With almost no defense spending they can afford a large social service program
wow china is amazing
wow china is amazing
Don’t know why they call universal healthcare a socialism. Then why do we have universal primary & secondary education? That’s socialism too. So is Social Security. These are just a good system that Government implements to keep minimum level of living. How it is fair that our tax money is going toward criminial’s healthcare where as small business owner cannot afford to go to a hospital.
I read that this guy could not get on an organ transplant list because he did not have enough deposit to be on the list when a prisoner got his organ just because he commited a crime and was in jail.
Then there was a smarter guy who “robbed” a jewelry store just so that he can get arrested since he didn’t have money for his transplant.
Eventually anyone who needs something will have to commit a crime just to see a doctor. When I was visiting Korea, which has universal healthcare, my son got sick so we went to a doctor who had much higher technological equipments than in the States only chaged around 7 bucks for examination & cleaned his earwax since we had no Korean insurance. People who had insurance were paying around 2-3 bucks per visit. Reason…administrative overhead. Meaning high and mighty people up there needs 100 thousands and millions of dollars in their pocket to buy their mercedes and porsches. Most doctors will not get affected universal or privatized insurance except for those who’re on the board or admin somewhere.
So people may say socialism or communism, but having universal healthcare run by government just make sense…if not, I’d say we take it away from the convicts and all the politician. Let politicians buy their own medical insurance out of their pocket, we know they can afford to.
It’s still socialism. Pure capitalism provides no support. If you’re poor you get sick and die.
false, the idea is socialist but most if not all of these country’s are defined as mixed economies, not socialist.
how can anyone compare these top 10 socialist countries,or any countries to the united states. the u.s.a is a melting pot of EVERYONE.! you can come here legally or illegally. and you get treated with the same rights as a natural born citizen. if socialism really works,then let’s bring back the great thinkers of the past,for they lay the foundations of true socialism, i.e stalin, lenin,trotski,marks,engles.there are more people in some of the states, alone, in the u.s.a then in some of the countries mentioned here. also,let’s not forget how many people were killed and tortured under,SOCIALISM. free health care is not free! somebody has to pay.!
I think you’re confusing socialism with communism. And yes “somebody has to pay” WE pay. They are called taxes and healthcare/education are the kind of things taxes are SUPPOSED to pay for. Instead it goes to paying off the federal reserve. Oh, and politicians salaries (who have free healthcare for life, btw.)
“Life in China remains relatively less stressful and more relaxed than life in capitalist countries like America.” Go to China and speak out about human rights and freedom of the press then tell me how less stressful and relaxed life is.
Agree!!
life in China…
you’ll need to worry the food you buy having terrible ingredient
Human right? no one own
You know, the whole article is flawed in so many ways, it is amazing that the writer did not do much homework and use better examples to support his/her idea.
Visited China last year. Assuming you don’t talk about human rights and such, it really is a sedentary place and not what people make it out as.
The problem is when some works hard to make money and has to pay a lot of it to the government compared to people who don’t work because they don’t have too and abuse the welfare system. I’m not saying they do in a socialist countrys, just it happens a lot where I’m from in the us. (Ex. Refusing to get married) also in the us taxes are used on less helpful things
Socialism is a step toward communism. Statism, Collectivism, Socialism is all destructive as it takes away the normal inclination for people to succeed and improve their lives. Dependence does not work. Look at the dependent class we have created in this country. We will not learn. The goal of our present administration is to increase the numbers of the dependent. Thus the open borders and lack of any monitoring of entitlement fraud. Look at the increase in numbers of those on welfare, food stamps and disability during the Obama administration. It is telling and an example of what happens when the government promotes entitlements.
You’re partially right. Dependence does not work; those in a society must uphold themselves, but you cannot use the U.S.A. as an example for decay of all governments that give out entitlement; Nordic countries, Canada, New Zealand. These countries have the most extensive welfare systems in the world, and as such have been voted happiest nations to live in, but the members of the respective nations carry their load. In the case of the U.S.A., dependence on the welfare system is an issue.
Should we forget how many people were tortured and killed by capitalist countries?
Dan could you possibly enlighten us and tell us how many?
Dan…
First, I’d like you to name ONE capitalist country.
Then, I’d like for you to explain (in detail) to me how the economic principles of free markets are responsible for human beings being “tortured and killed” by the “capitalist” (quasi socialist) US government…
You are really really really dumb
Do you even know what socialism means? First thing first capitalism, socialism an communism are economic theories that were not fully incorporated in real life. They called Soviet Union ‘Communist” when in fact it wasn’t.. the idea was there but it led to corruption due to the fact that the full power was given to idiotic Stalin and not to the people as a whole. Now, dictatorship and communism are completely different terms. Soviet Union was under DICTATORSHIP and not under communism since this theory couldn’t be introduced to a society as a WHOLE. DO some readings on economic theories…
Thank you!!! God I hate these ignorant Americans. You’re the first person I’ve met who grasped this concept.
Socialism is a “mixed economy”. The government doesnt necessaryly control everything; the people make decisions as well. I think the U.S. may lean more towards Capitalism but it does have many factors of socialism. SO you cant just say that Socialism is “death”. No matter how you look at it, The U.S. is completely a mixed kind of economy even with another lable.
Idk if this person that wrote this has ever been to the USA because their is a lot of false statement. Socialist is a political viewpoint on economics that is the opposite of capitalism. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS COMMUNISM. china is communist AND NOT A MORE RELAXED PLACE THEN THE US. Communism is a whole separate topic. Their is no right or wrong between capitalism and socialism it is just left and right. Lastly this articles is biased…
false the definition of socialism is “a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.” for example if you want to say get a 1080p computer monitor the decision would need to be approved.
These people you listed were communist, not socialist. There is difference, even if that difference is minor. In addition, the people killed under Stalin were not killed due to socialism, but rather because of the fact that Stalin was an evil man. You misspelled “Marx” by the way.
Think of the thousands killed, tortured and executed in the name of democracy, during the french revolution. Just because the USSR’s was opposed to America doesn’t mean they weren’t on the right track.
Dont forget the thousands killed in the name of freedom in revolutioary France. Maybe the USSR was on the right track
first off, the taxes in denmark are not 70%
as some of my family members lives there.
I live in norway with my mother and father, we have high taxes and are a socialist nation, socialism and communism are TWO entirely different things. for example norway is socialist but we are far from communist’s and we don’t have crime at high rate, it is actually the lowest in the WORLD!
secondly
China is a communist state not a socialist nation.
No offense, but I think that you might have misread the Denmark listing. It says that Denmark has some of the highest taxes in the world. And that 70% of BUSINESSES have 50 employees or less.
Henrik is correct. China is not a socialist nation, it is politically communist and economically capitalist. Most people in the US who desire socialism don’t necessarily want America to become a socialist nation politically. We want to maintain democracy, but to use socialism in order to create a welfare state – like in Canada, Finland, and Denmark – while still embracing a free market economy.
This is so typical. “Oh, our taxes are not 70%”. Nope. They ARE 60%. Who wants to give a government more than half of their pay??? This is your argument for capitalism?? Your country is known for drugs and giving the government more than half of their money. You are mindless sheep and this is why the government allows you to be high all the time.
Our (Danish) taxes are 48.9% (and that includes moms (VAT)) … not 60/70.
We are not “known for drugs” (are you confusing us with the Dutch?)
If our system makes you think that we are sheep – well then i will happily Baah all day long, if it staves off most other systems in the world
Do look us up (Denmark), we are at the top of most lists of great things: Welfare, Economic freedom, Ease of doing business, Happiness etc etc.
Have a nice day
Yep I’ve been there. I will never visit again. Sorry you don’t even have 1/10 the opportunity as an American has. Yes we live for the most part without a net but ANYONE can become anything they are capable of. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to run a company in Denmark. BTW, what is stopping any country from coming in and killing all of you. Here’s your sign
Well, the fact that Denmark doesn’t go into other lands. Trying to force upon them, there economic theory’s. Should be a safety net against other country’s trying to o the same. Or how you phrased it my friend “Trying to kill you.”
The sad fact is that the all conquering, all powerful, all righteous America does what I have just stated. Including, killing innocent people in the in the name of freedom. I ask you, what is so free about that?
As an American I am ashamed to be associated with such cruel and unjustified actions. For we fund the true terror. Our politicians and media feed into our brains propaganda that only uneducated people would believe.
Unfortunately for America . Half the country is uneducated. We cut funds for a future to finance wars. Are Americans that naive or are they just stupid to believe that we have a self sustaining society to move forward?
So please stop opening your mouth and speaking as if you know what you are talking about. You live in a country where people feel entitled to what they have. Nobody is entitled or deserves anything.
What? Opportunities in the oil industry?
The issue is that these small countries that experiment with their socialist economy, have no defense against the rest of the world actually have nothing to defend.
Yes the US spends on military to defend ourselves. Perhaps we have something to defend. There was a time when we we would help others defend. Perhaps we should stop
Yes, we’re quite aware of your bahhh-ing considering your fantastic country could not even defend itself and capitulated and COOPERATED with the Nazis in WW2. INCLUDING fighting in the German army.
Or were you totally unaware of Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen who said that Denmark’s cooperation with Nazis was “morally unjustifiable”.
Alry, To you this is obviously personal, you can’t disprove any of his claims, instead you would talk about a 70 year old war no one else is talking about. Can’t handle the true of what our country has become? I see many Americans being the true sheep here
Yes and exactly what business is done in your country. How about you refuse to accept all imports from those awful capitalist countries where people are actually rewarded for “working” . See if you can survive in you little bubble
This resembles some bulls#&% I have heard from biased media in the past. When the blind in America finally wake up it will probably be too late.
Russia isn’t actually that socialist anymore, they are autocratic, the Soviet Union fell in 1989 THEY were socialist, the russian federation is just autocratic, mean
European countries are SO much nicer to live in than America. Though ill agree the article on China is ‘bulls#&%’, I would have to say it is YOU who is blind
Hey,Where is the big boss Russia?
Not socialist. Though neither is China, really
Ben, if you’re an American living “ex-pat”‘, please stay wherever you are. If the US made the decision to stay out of all foreign affairs, the world would be begging us to help with every war, injustice, natural disaster, or international crime that occurred. If you are an American citizen, have the courage to renounce your. Itizenship so we can be rid of you.
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Guess we can add United States on there now. Since apparently we are almost there and our constitution means pretty much nothinganymore
Hahahahaha. Stupid people make me laugh.
wow dude….. you obviously have no idea AT ALL what your talking about….
What in our constitution is not being followed?
Freedom of the press, Right to free speech, Right to assemble, Right of privacy, Privilege against self-incrimination. That’s just a few I can think of that are relevant at the moment.
Though, you know, most of these incriminations against your constitution were put in place by the conservative President Bush.
Just saying
What? As if Obama’s doing anything better or different?
Did you know that Obama went on a vacation to Africa, that cost 2 MILLION dollars for accommodations alone? That’s 2 MILLION dollars, taken straight from the taxpayer’s money. Why should we pay for our President’s furlough? That money should be where it belongs, in each person’s paycheck, or in the actually USEFUL government programs.
George Bush is no conservative. Who told you he was conservative? Perhaps socially he could be considered right of center. Fiscally he and his dad are big government spending powerbrokers. So is Jeb. The Republican party is in the process of getting folks like this out.
China is communist, not socialist am life is more relaxed? Really? Have you ever even been to china? The government control everything, no one owns property and most live in poverty making just enought to survive. The government pimps out people to greedy companies and pollution is horrible. Also last time I checked didn’t the USA save most of these countries listed from nazi germany? We may not be perfect but who do they cry to when someone is picking in them? The USA. And good or bad we are often more willing to help. One last thing, how is Greece and its socialist economy working out?
So is that why America is starting to bully Syberia, your latest failed attempt and also i get this weird feeling in my gut that America have been making excuses for war since 2000 to help out their debt issue. As war is the most profitable factor in the world still.
So yet here I am every day waiting for some news saying OMGWTF America declared war. As you guys are still the biggest economic bullies in the world, trying to dictate the movement of newly reformed countries left right and center. The first real failure your country faced was Iran in this regard when you realized they have plenty juicy oil that your government just had to capitalize for their own gain instead of a global gain.
My key is globalization of freedom of movement on a global level is what will actually make changes in how humanity as a whole run ourselves. All these walls and divides are just a dead end road to create hatred and complex corruptible ideas easily masked from society. I believe in transparency and also the ability for YOU to admit to your mistakes and then figure out a solution that more then one country can work on at a time without any hidden agenda’s to profiteer one country above another. America has the highest debt ceiling in the world and it is only growing, this makes for a desperate and volatile environment. As a country i am not surprised America is seeking ever more sly or direct ways to save themselves at the expense of many. It is the nature of it all. It is not right or wrong, but i’ll be damned hoping that your country chooses a social way to change the current problems, because both Dictatorship or Capitalist strategies will point at war. This includes leaving decisions to the reserve or federation, who only want to line their on pockets no matter which country we are talking about
Real smart utopian pipe dream. I think the last time I had one of those I was 12. Wake the hell up. How many countries in the history of the world have fought wars and not stolen the land and it’s valuables? HMMM……. The United States is the only one. What country actually made it possible for these countries to live so care free? wait wait well you know the answer. Eventually all socialist and communist countries fail because they run out of other peoples money and the incentive to strive to be more is lost.
Have you ever heard of the Philippines? Run by America from 1898 to just after WWII.
One word. Mexico. Dont be a hipocrite
Socialism, when done right, doesn’t ‘run on other people’s money’. Enough is taken so everyone can have the basics- food, shelter, sanitatio, clothing, education and healthcare. Then the harder you work to bring benefit to others, the more ‘luxuries’ you recieve.
“Enough is taken…” Really, from whom? And who decides from whom and how much?
But that’s the point! Everyone deserves the money they make! The government shouldn’t take a large percentage of your paycheck! I can understand if it goes to repairs and fixing debts, but for our hard-earned money to be sent to someone who sits on their ass all day, and collects welfare checks, is just wrong. Instead of welfare, there should be a JOB program to help people get JOBS instead of sitting around collecting checks with taxpayer’s money in them. If you need money, GO GET A JOB. I’m sure any place would hire you if they are desperate enough. And don’t even say a thing about disabled people, because I’ve seen PLENTY of disabled people with jobs, doing just fine.
Another thing, each person should get their own healthcare! Not some healthcare concocted from -yet again- taxpayer’s money. If you have a job, which aren’t really that hard to find, most jobs include basic healthcare. If not, then go buy some with the money you get with your job! Sheesh, some people just can’t grasp the simple concept of self-reliance.
No, the more benefits that are shelled-out to free-loaders, the less the hard-working citizens have in their pockets.
Right. And to those questioning “free-loaders” in a seemingly socialist nation, those that don’t work don’t deserve those welfare benefits, and they won’t have it.
War is very costly, as you can tell by the debt from the Iraq/Afghanistan war. The US is not bullying Syria, to take over land, they do not want them to kill their own people.
The world use to rely on the US to take care of the problems. We were called into WW II we did not just start the war. The same is true about every conflict since then. UN approval was received.
The problem with one world government is that ere are many countries that do believe in dictators and no rights of the people. People are not allowed to own property, and they determine education.
And how open is your country to having masses of people coming into your country illegally and staying. Yes you may travel but if someone comes to you country illegally to work and live. do they receive free education and healthcare?
The US HS millions coming each year illegally plus many legally.
If your country is so great, why do you not have all these people coming to your country?
Yes, I do not see the lines forming outside of any of the awesome countries listed.
This was written by some nutjob who was trying to make socialism seem wonderful. Who deems what is less stressful living? China less stressful than the USA? Is that a result of culture or government? The workers at Foxconn aren’t living stress free lives and the majority of China live in poverty by US standards. Heck, most of the world lives in poverty when compared to the USA.
Yes, according to USA standards not China’s standards!!!
Inequality and salary gaps is like a culture in most countries where there is an open economy. The monied people do not care about others.
Um…no. Not any more. Even back in they ‘Golden days’ of modern America there were Ghetoes
This list is wrong, the writer obviously is confused between socialism and social-democracy.
agreed. Half of the stuff he said is not true.
Socialism is a self-government workers. Self-management!
The means of production are reguled by workers .
These are basic principles of Socialism.
So, there is no socialism in any country of the world. Even China, North Korea and Cuba aren’t real Socialists, cause workers dont control anything.
Thanks for writing on this subject. It would be more helpful and illuminating, however, if you made a distinction between socialism and communism. That would explain a great deal of the difference, aside from language and culture, between China and the European socialist countries. Socialist countries do not need centralized control. The advantages of socialism for everyday working people are maintained by cultural mores and the laws created by people with such mores, not centralized control of commercial activities. China is a communist country.. and will become either capitalist or socialist, depending on how well the population understands and promotes such universal values.
or autocratic…
Doesn’t China also have a flag?
I’d have to ask what these nations’ defense expenditures are as part of their overall budget. While China has a large defense budget, their R&D relies mostly on stealing technology, not original R&D. Most of the others rely on US treaty involvements, such as NATO
You must be kidding about Ireland. They have a far more conservative government very little in the way of universal healthcare. The UK, In particular Scotland is a far more socialist country that offers free healthcare, transportation for the elderly and free higher education.
I think South Africa and other countries that are currently using the “Free Market” economy can learn a lot from these mentiont top 10 Socialistic countries in therms of education, healthy and other ways of promoting or strenghteening the economy.
This article contradicts itself.. The title is misleading.. It says “…10 Most Socialist Countries in the World”, and then it says, “the most socialistic.”
“Socialist” and “socialistic” are not the same things.
what abou the netherlands? i couldnt find any information about it on this website…
Idiot propaganda.
Its strange that in the US they confuse socialism (collective ownership of means of production) with the normal obligation of a civilized developed country to provide education, healthcare and welfare.
And yet, millions of Europeans immigrated here in the 20th century and made this the greatest economy in the history of the world within 50 years, operating under those very rules you find strange.
The reason Americans “confuse” socialism with the “normal obligations” you describe is because those two things go hand in hand. That’s why Left Wingers constantly harp on the injustices of their favorite villain in the world: free market capitalism.
This article only holds if your definition of socialism is “welfare state”, which is a ridiculous definition.
http://www.marxists.org/subject/china/peking-review/1975/PR1975-15a.htm
Thank you for the injection of sanity.
Not a one of these countries, with the exception of China, is socialist.
Otherwise, how do you explain the alignment of the world during the Cold War? Hello?
Why would NATO align itself against Marxism if it were comprised of a majority of Marxist countries?
A welfare state isn’t socialism. Read some books for crying out loud. How much welfare do you think there was in Soviet Russia? In Maoist China?
The newly inaugurated King of the Netherlands in September 2013 heralded the decline of the welfare state in his country, referencing changing demographics and an aging population that will necessitate civil solutions to issues like retiree welfare.
This is an opening salvo in the decline of the welfare state in Europe. A system propped up largely by international Bernie Madoff style ponzi schemes and state oil revenues used to BUY POPULIST LOYALTY for ideologies that couldn’t possibly make such redistribution work under ordinary circumstances.
Socialism works great as long as you have the huge pot of money or credit available to finance it. But when the credit card runs out, you’re in trouble.
Exactly what happened with your super capitalist housing bubble wasn’t it? The credit cards ran out?
That’s not at all what happened…in fact, that’s not even what happens in any bubble. The housing bubble in America had its’ roots in social programs (state welfare programs) of the 90′s designed to make housing more affordable for poor people. It created a system where finance companies were giving loans to people who otherwise would not be considered loan-worthy. Naturally, over the next decade, the demand for housing skyrocketed, artificially inflating prices. Eventually, the market corrected itself, as any healthy and relatively free market would. House values plummeted back to normal, leaving tons of people owing way more than their house is worth…leading to inability to refinance, foreclosures, etc., aggravated by all those people who never really could afford the houses they bought under government programs anyway.
This is not at all similar to the figurative “credit card” (meaning government debt) that Jonathan was talking about. All governments need a positive cash flow to be sustainable in the long run, and pure socialism by nature squelches the drive for innovation and profits needed to make it happen. This is why social democracies are becoming so prevalent in the world.
Ugh, God, the Community Reinvestment act. I still to this very day cannot see why that idiot Jimmy Carter even signed that bill. It made it so that loan companies were forced to pay people loans for houses, even when they knew that those people would have no chance in Hell of paying them back. Something about “Everyone is entitles to a house” Well guess what? If you can’t pay for it, how are you entitled to have it? The world is built upon money. People don’t have to like it, but it’s true.
Hello world
I’m from South Africa
Now after apartheid ended and our future was looking bright we had the great injustice of being tempted by a loan from America during 1995, after accepting this great injustice America now had a hold on decisions we made on our economy. So the blueprint for our economic infrastructure bends viciously towards Americanism. Yes, Americanism, i said it and the way our country was inducted into the “free” world mirrors itself closely to an economic enslavement using the bottleneck strategy of injecting funds into an economy and then saying that the trickle-down effect will sustain great future growth, but yet any money that may potentially trickle down is absorbed into repaying the country in question (America) and also allowed for adverse corruptible methods to be implemented with this trickle-down “solution” we were forcefully given by the holiest of corruptible methods. Fiat Currency
Also, America has never been the greatest of fastest growing country in the history of the world. Those titles go the Egyptian Dynasties and the Mongols respectively
You are the most ignorant person i have ever met
Really? Have a look at what South Africa has paid back to America. Next to nothing. So I guess your great leader was an idiot. I’ll say this he was smarter than our currant President since you have a much better GDP. You have WAY to many labor laws to ever really succeed like America did. There is way to much redistribution of money instead of free market capitalism. This causes people to give up like my friend and come to America or somewhere else where all that hard work and education pays off.
The ‘Trickle down effect’ is a myth. You need socialistic policies, or else you end up with a state resembling Victorian London. Which was hell.
It’s not a myth. If you actually take a close look at the economy in the 80′s, (nicknamed the “era of conspicuous consumption”) Jobs were plentiful, and therefore wages were high. It was a booming economy that actually raised all wages, including those of the inner city.
There is a reason so many people revere Reagan. Times were good, credit was easy, morals were loose, optimism was high.
He’s right, you know
And how’s that new government working out for you?
Please someone to tell me how many states they are and they were socialist and comunist
Hey I think i got the answer they are 36
I am very thankful to you its most important and informative for me . Hashimsocial@yahoo.com
What a load of uneducated pathetic dribble..
How many socialist states are there exactly???
Kar
The Swedish Economic Model. Why Sweden’s success has nothing to do with socialism.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/204219375/The-Swedish-Economic-Model-A-Socialist-or-a-Free-Market-Success
The picture of the Chinese Army is actually a picture of the military police of Bolivia. How do I know? I lived in Bolivia.
Just to point out the level of quality and effort put in this article
Yeah, this idiot says life is more relaxing in China, he obviously did not put a lot of effort into this article.
Yes, it is obvious that this idiot did not put enough effort into the article. Half of the stuff he said is not true. Especially about China being more relaxing to live in.
More relaxed than in the USA? Have you looked at censorship in China? The Buddhists in Tibet being killed, imprisoned, and censored? And you say it is more relaxed than in the USA? You know, China, the country that imprisons people for speaking out against the government on blogs? The country that is rated as an enemy of the internet? The country where people make less than $12, 000 per year? You’re an ignorant liar who pulls things out of his butt.
Here’s proof that it China is not more relaxing to live in – http://www.bloomberg.com/visual-data/best-and-worst/most-stressed-out-countries
This article/post has no credibility.
You must be kidding me. The country with the most developed economy in Europe is Hungary. We have the greatest geography in the area, the most brilliant politicians, we are connected to the strongest masonry lodge via George Soros and even prince Charles loves us. We are supreme in the way we behave and due to our historical connection with our neighbouring country Romania, we have the best girls in the world. You might say that you didn’t know that but stupidity is a very common disease nowadays. Like phenomenons, there are places you never understand because you lack information on them. Now you’ve got it, from the source. Be all blessed.
Brazilian girls are better :p
China must have changed their flag I dont remember it having men with smg on it
I’m sorry, you lost me at “Life in China remains relatively less stressful and more relaxed than life in capitalist countries like America.” I’ve lived there for four months. You have no idea what you’re talking about, and I wish you wouldn’t post blatant lies.
I agree with “been to China”, especially since this poster has spent time there and appear to have paid attention. Also, you erred in showing a row of armed soldiers in your picture depicting China. That’s not the impression one would want to give to show that it’s “less stressful”.
The BIG ERROR: Socialism. What it really is. Socialism IS NOT a set of state run or provided services, no matter how extensive. Socialism is a system whereby NO OWNERSHIP of private property exists. The state owns all property. Period. Don’t trust me. Look it up. This is the economic definition of the system. This crap was all “made” up by intellectuals such as the author of this tripe. “Nature” provides a system of economics, too. . . .it’s called free market economics. It EVOLVED, and was not created by Ivy League idiots. This system was first adequately described by Adam Smith. You probably have not read his “The Wealth of Nations”. You should. It describes how the well-being of all is served by a series of remarkable, and NATURAL systems.
Capitalism isn’t the perfect system you make it out to be. Also, ‘socialistic’ (communist!) systems often allow ‘personal property’, ie toothbrushes, hobby collections, photographs, and things of sentimental value. What it’s supposed to stop is people hoarding things they dont need, and not letting others use them.
But it IS nearly perfect. Those who actually work and do their job, prosper. The lazy filth, who like to feed upon other’s success, are eliminated. “The strong survive” as the saying goes. It’s basically just like natural selection. But you aren’t criticizing THAT now are you?
Um, yeah, I think you missed a few countries – how about North Korea, Vietnam, Venezuela, Cuba, etc. You picked the nations that told the pro-socialist story that you wanted people to hear, but the reality is that most of those nations have vast natural resources with small populations that allow the higher standards of living, not the socialism.
Most of those are more autocratic than anyone else though. And some socialism is needed for decent conditions for the masses. Finally, many socialist European countries don’t have plenty of natural recources, but still have good living conditions. Capitalism IS necceseary for development, because nothing motivates people more than greed. But this needs to be in balance with ‘leftist’ policies
I seldom leave a response, however I browsed a few responses
And, if you are writing on other online sites, I’d like to follow anything new you have to post.
on Top 10 Most Socialist Countries in the World – Peerform Blog.
I do have a few questions for you if it’s okay.
Could it be only me or does it seem like a few of the remarks come across like they
are coming from brain dead folks?
Would you list of all of your social community sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
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