You're right - it isn't a 'command and control' economy - but it definitely is a socialist one - as you acknowledge in referencing the heavy taxes in play there. Communism (as we know it) is command and control. Socialism is not, that not being a necessary parameter for socialism. True democracy however, is.
And yes, no longer is Scandanavia's population as homogeneous, and is growing less so daily - partly as a result of their generous social programs. It is also true that through education and other means they have largely succeeded in limiting population growth. All this is putting very heavy pressure on the systems there. But, if more 'advanced' nations like our own, actually picked up and carried a fair share of the social load, that would not be such a burning issue. And, that's where capitalism falls down. It encourages waste, and is anti-egalitarian and non-democratic at its core.
The fact still remains, Scandinavia enjoys some of the best health care in the world, there are no homeless, and no one goes hungry. Zippo, nada. Would that just part of that were so in our wonderful capitalist country where 40% are either under insured or non-insured, and millions have no shelter and/or go to bed hungry each night!
And why do you think it is that 'democratic socialism' is such a success in Scandinavian countries - which rate at the top in all polls in the category of 'Quality of Life' ? Check out where the US stands!
You'll find that by and large those countries which are more 'socialist' almost always score higher than the so-called more 'capitalist' nations. In fact, our capitalist system falls SERIOUSLY behind in very many areas. But, we have largely succeeded in blinding ourselves to those realities by a nearly visceral reaction to anything around the 'socialist' label.
Propaganda is such an effective tool! No wonder we capitalists love it.
Yes, it is human nature to subjugate lessers, but so is rape and many other crimes. The basic design of capitalism is in and of itself anti-egalitarianism. The capitalist system is the invention of the more powerful, pedicated upon the subjugation of people by economic state. To view it any other way is simply wishful thinking. There is no such thing as a real 'democracy' in any capitalist system.
Communism as we know it, was idealistically designed to be egalitarian, but was captured and corrupted by schemers and the more powerful, who ended up subjugating the masses. This does not mean the basic idea of a socialist society is wrong, notwithstanding all the self-serving capitalist propaganda to the contrary.
That's the rub with the so-called 'Capitalist System', which at its core, is the simple disenfranchisement and theft from the poor & economically helpless. That's seems to be completely OK with those who can benefit from the system for whatever reason - with never a qualm about those born less fortunate or clever. But, they ought to take note that the capitalist system requires feeding 'from the bottom' - i.e., the utilization and consumption of the productions of those on the lower levels.
It may be the most efficient economic system ever invented - but it definitely is not fair. Nor is it sustainable forever. It ought not to take a rocket scientist to see where this will eventually lead.
Historically, it always follows a path of subjugation of others less fortunate, economic corruption, and eventual revolution beginning in the lower levels which consumes & destroys the higher levels. It is as inevitable and as predictable as the evolution of a culture in a petri dish!
Slashdot Mirror
You're right - it isn't a 'command and control' economy - but it definitely is a socialist one - as you acknowledge in referencing the heavy taxes in play there. Communism (as we know it) is command and control. Socialism is not, that not being a necessary parameter for socialism. True democracy however, is.
And yes, no longer is Scandanavia's population as homogeneous, and is growing less so daily - partly as a result of their generous social programs. It is also true that through education and other means they have largely succeeded in limiting population growth. All this is putting very heavy pressure on the systems there. But, if more 'advanced' nations like our own, actually picked up and carried a fair share of the social load, that would not be such a burning issue. And, that's where capitalism falls down. It encourages waste, and is anti-egalitarian and non-democratic at its core.
The fact still remains, Scandinavia enjoys some of the best health care in the world, there are no homeless, and no one goes hungry. Zippo, nada. Would that just part of that were so in our wonderful capitalist country where 40% are either under insured or non-insured, and millions have no shelter and/or go to bed hungry each night!
And why do you think it is that 'democratic socialism' is such a success in Scandinavian countries - which rate at the top in all polls in the category of 'Quality of Life' ? Check out where the US stands!
You'll find that by and large those countries which are more 'socialist' almost always score higher than the so-called more 'capitalist' nations. In fact, our capitalist system falls SERIOUSLY behind in very many areas. But, we have largely succeeded in blinding ourselves to those realities by a nearly visceral reaction to anything around the 'socialist' label.
Propaganda is such an effective tool! No wonder we capitalists love it.
Yes, it is human nature to subjugate lessers, but so is rape and many other crimes. The basic design of capitalism is in and of itself anti-egalitarianism. The capitalist system is the invention of the more powerful, pedicated upon the subjugation of people by economic state. To view it any other way is simply wishful thinking. There is no such thing as a real 'democracy' in any capitalist system.
Communism as we know it, was idealistically designed to be egalitarian, but was captured and corrupted by schemers and the more powerful, who ended up subjugating the masses. This does not mean the basic idea of a socialist society is wrong, notwithstanding all the self-serving capitalist propaganda to the contrary.
That's the rub with the so-called 'Capitalist System', which at its core, is the simple disenfranchisement and theft from the poor & economically helpless. That's seems to be completely OK with those who can benefit from the system for whatever reason - with never a qualm about those born less fortunate or clever. But, they ought to take note that the capitalist system requires feeding 'from the bottom' - i.e., the utilization and consumption of the productions of those on the lower levels.
It may be the most efficient economic system ever invented - but it definitely is not fair. Nor is it sustainable forever. It ought not to take a rocket scientist to see where this will eventually lead.
Historically, it always follows a path of subjugation of others less fortunate, economic corruption, and eventual revolution beginning in the lower levels which consumes & destroys the higher levels. It is as inevitable and as predictable as the evolution of a culture in a petri dish!