Nordic Model Of Democratic Socialism Has Something For Everyone - Happiness Reigns!!

[PoliTalker]

The Nordic Model Of Democratic Socialism Has Something For Everyone, Liberals and Conservatives Alike:

"The Nordic model refers to the economic and social policies common to the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Sweden). This includes a comprehensive welfare state and collective bargaining at the national level with a high percentage of the workforce unionised while being based on the economic foundations of free market capitalism.[1][2][3] The Nordic model began to earn attention after World War II.[4][5]

The Scandinavian countries were all monarchies, with Finland and Iceland becoming republics in the 20th century. Currently, the Nordic countries have been described as being highly democratic. Although there are significant differences among the Nordic countries, they all share some common traits. These include support for a universalist welfare state aimed specifically at enhancing individual autonomy and promoting social mobility; a corporatist system involving a tripartite arrangement where representatives of labour and employers negotiate wages and labour market policy mediated by the government;[6] and a commitment to private ownership (with some caveats), a mixed economy[7] and free trade.[8]

Each of the Nordic countries has its own economic and social models, sometimes with large differences from its neighbours.[9] As of 2018, all of the Nordic countries rank highly on the Inequality-adjusted HDI and the Global Peace Index. In 2019, all five of the Nordic countries ranked in the top 10 on the World Happiness Report.[10] "

PoliTalker anti-troll thread thief disclaimer: If this thread is stolen, plagiarized, will the thief have the nerve to use the entire OP, word for word? Including this disclaimer? If you want my take on it, you'll have to post to this original PoliTalker thread. I refuse to be an enabler for online bullies, so I won't post to a stolen thread. I won't even read it. If you don't see me, PoliTalker, posting in this thread check the author. This might be a hijacked thread, not the original.

Nordic Model Of Democratic Socialism

"The Nordic Model – Embracing globalization and sharing risks" characterises the system as follows:[11]

- An elaborate social safety net, in addition to public services such as free education and universal healthcare[11] in a largely tax-funded system.[12]

- Strong property rights, contract enforcement and overall ease of doing business.[13]

- Public pension plans.[11]

- Free trade combined with collective risk sharing (social programmes, labour market institutions) which has provided a form of protection against the risks associated with economic openness.[11]

- Little product market regulation. Nordic countries rank very high in product market freedom according to OECD rankings.[11]

- Low levels of corruption.[11] In Transparency International's 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway were ranked among the top 10 least corrupt of the 167 countries evaluated.[14]

- High percentage of workers belonging to a labour union.[15] In 2013, labour union density was 88% in Iceland, 69% in Denmark, 67% in Sweden, 66% in Finland and 51% in Norway. In comparison, labour union density was 18% in Germany, 11% in the United States and 8% in France.[16] The lower union density in Norway is mainly explained by the absence of a Ghent system since 1938. In contrast, Denmark, Finland and Sweden all have union-run unemployment funds.[17]

- A partnership between employers, trade unions and the government, whereby these social partners negotiate the terms to regulating the workplace among themselves, rather than the terms being imposed by law.[18][19] Sweden has decentralised wage co-ordination while Finland is ranked the least flexible.[11] The changing economic conditions have given rise to fear among workers as well as resistance by trade unions in regards to reforms.[11] At the same time, reforms and favourable economic development seem to have reduced unemployment, which has traditionally been higher. Denmark's Social Democrats managed to push through reforms in 1994 and 1996 (see flexicurity).

- The United Nations World Happiness Reports show that the happiest nations are concentrated in Northern Europe. The Nordics ranked highest on the metrics of real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, generosity and freedom from corruption.[20] The Nordic countries place in the top 10 of the World Happiness Report 2018, with Finland and Norway taking the top spots.[21]

- The Nordic countries received the highest ranking for protecting workers rights on the International Trade Union Confederation's 2014 Global Rights Index, with Denmark being the only nation to receive a perfect score.[22]

- Sweden at 56.6% of GDP, Denmark at 51.7% and Finland at 48.6% reflect very high public spending.[23] One key reason for public spending is the large number of public employees. These employees work in various fields including education, healthcare and for the government itself. They often have greater job security and make up around a third of the workforce (more than 38% in Denmark). Public spending in social transfers such as unemployment benefits and early-retirement programmes is high. In 2001, the wage-based unemployment benefits were around 90% of wage in Denmark and 80% in Sweden, compared to 75% in the Netherlands and 60% in Germany. The unemployed were also able to receive benefits several years before reductions, compared to quick benefit reduction in other countries.

- Public expenditure for health and education is significantly higher in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in comparison to the OECD average.[24]

- Overall tax burdens (as a percentage of GDP) are high: Sweden (44.1%), Denmark (45.9%) and Finland (44.1%).[25] The Nordic countries have relatively flat tax rates, meaning that even those with medium and low incomes are taxed at relatively high levels.[26][27]"

Sounds like a blueprint for Bernie!

What is taxing other than everybody chipping in for the common good?

Together, we create a better future. Not me. US.