Comment Re:IBM's pursuit of anti-egalitarianism (Score 1) 805
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 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!
