[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Here'sa short account of the policies and lifestyles of countries that havesocial policies that are are more socialist than the mostlycorporate-profit-obsessed policies of the American government. Thelifestyles and happiness of ordinary people in a country probablyreflects a better measure of that country's success and progress thatthe GNP figures.[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Top10 Most Socialist Countries in the World[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ByPeerform · [/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]OnDecember 6, 2012[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Theterm socialist has been thrown around quite a bit in the past fewyears. Not since the cold war has the term garnered so much attentionin the press and from politicians. But when you look at countries whoactually have a socialist economic structure, you can see somesimilarities to the United States but there are some really starkdifferences.
Below, you will see some of the most socialisticnations in the worldtoday:
China
Denmark
Finland
Netherlands
Canada
Sweden
Norway
Ireland
NewZealand
Belgium
Despite popular myths, there is very littleconnection between economic performance and welfare expenditure. Manyof the countries on this list are proof of that, such as Denmark andFinland. Even though both countries are more socialistic thanAmerica, the workforce remains stronger.
China
In China thegovernment manages and controls the economy. Many of the domesticcompanies are owned and run by the government. Recently, the Chineseeconomy has become more geared towards capitalism, but is stillofficially socialist. Life in China remains relatively less stressfuland more relaxed than life in capitalist countries likeAmerica.
Denmark
Denmark has a wide range of welfarebenefits that they offer their citizens. As a result, they also havethe highest taxes in the world. Equality is considered the mostimportant value in Denmark. Small businesses thrive, with over 70percent of companies having 50 employees or less.
Finland
Finlandhas one of the worlds best education systems, with no tuition feesand also giving free meals to their students. The literacy rate inFinland is 100 percent. Finland has one of the highest standards ofliving 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 economyremains at a minimum, but a socialist welfare system remains. Thelifestyle in the Netherlands is very egalitarian and organized, whereeven bosses do not discipline or treat their subordinatesrudely.
Canada
Like the Netherlands, Canada also has mostlya free market economy, but has a very extensive welfare system thatincludes free health and medical care. Canadians remain moreopen-minded and liberal than Americans, and Canada is ranked as oneof the best top five countries to live in by the United Nations andthe Human Development Index (HDI) rankings.
Sweden andNorway
Sweden has a large welfare system, but due to a highnational debt, required much government intervention in the economy.In Norway, the government controls certain key aspects of thenational economy, and they also have one of the best welfare systemsin the world, with Norway having one of the highest standards ofliving in all of Europe. Norway is not a member of the EuropeanUnion.
Ireland
Ireland has arguably one of the best welfaresystems in the world, with unemployment checks higher on average thanDenmark or Switzerlands average. Around 25 percent of Irelands GDPgoes towards paying for the welfare system, as compared to 15 percentof America GDP towards Americas social support programs.
NewZealand
New Zealand may not be a socialist country, but thewelfare system in the country is very wide ranging, offering supportfor housing, unemployment, health, child care, and education as well.Therefore, New Zealand has many of the characteristics of a socialistcountry, even while remaining officially free market.[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Andthen comparing countries that have somewhat more socialist policiesaimed at improving their people's happiness and well being than theUnited States does at present. Interesting how the most socialistcountries score the highest on these type of surveys.[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]WorldHappiness Report[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Wikipedia[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]TheWorld Happiness Report is a measure of happiness published by theUnited Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The reportis edited by Professor John F. Helliwell, of the University ofBritish Columbia and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research;Lord Richard Layard, Director of the Well-Being Programme at LSEsCentre for Economic Performance; and Professor Jeffrey Sachs,Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, Director ofthe SDSN, and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General.[1]
InJuly 2011, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution invitingmember countries to measure the happiness of their people and to usethis to help guide their public policies. On April 2, 2012 this wasfollowed by the first UN High Level Meeting on "Happiness andWell-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm," which was chairedby Prime Minister Jigme Thinley of Bhutan, the first and so far onlycountry to have officially adopted gross national happiness insteadof the gross domestic product as the main developmentindicator.[2]
The first World Happiness Report was released onApril 1, 2012, just ahead of as a foundational text for theconference. It drew international attention as the world's firstglobal happiness survey.[3] The Report outlined the state of worldhappiness, causes of happiness and misery, and policy implications;along with case studies including from Bhutan. In September 2013 thesecond World Happiness Report offered the first annual follow-up.[4]The Report uses data from the Gallup World Poll. The first Reportused available data from 2005-2011, and the second Report usedavailable data from 2005-2012, focusing on the data set from2010-2012.
In the Reports, leading experts in several fieldseconomics, psychology, survey analysis, national statistics, and moredescribe how measurements of well-being can be used effectively toassess the progress of nations. The second Report delved deeper intoissues relating to happiness, including mental illness, the objectivebenefits of happiness, the importance of ethics, policy implications,and links with the OECDs approach to measuring subjective well-beingas well as the Human Development Report.
Internationalrankings
On a scale running from 0 to 10, people in over 150countries, surveyed by Gallup over the period 2010-12, reveal apopulation-weighted average score of 5.1 (out of 10). [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Sixkey variables[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] explainthree-quarters of the variation in annual national average scoresover time and among countries. These six factors include: [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]realGDP per capita[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif],[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]healthylife expectancy[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]havingsomeone to count on[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]perceivedfreedom to make life choices[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]freedomfrom corruption[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif],and [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]generosity[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif].[5]
2013ranking (2010-12surveys)
Rank........Country........Happiness........Change inhappiness from2005-07
1.............Denmark...........7.693...................Decrease-0.233
2.............Norway..............7.655...................Increase0.263
3.............Switzerland.......7.650...................Increase0.303
4.............Netherlands.......7.512...................Increase0.054
5.............Sweden.............7.480...................Increase0.171
6.............Canada..............7.477...................Increase0.032
7.............Finland..............7.389....................Decrease-0.283
8.............Austria...............7.369...................Increase0.247
9.............Iceland...............7.355..................N/A
10...........Australia............7.350...................Increase0.040
11............Israel.................7.301...................Increase0.293
12............CostaRica........7.257...................Steady 0.000
13............NewZealand.....7.221..................Decrease -0.210
14......UnitedArab Emirates..7.144.............Increase0.410
15............Panama..............7.143..................Increase0.633
16............Mexico................7.088..................Increase0.535
17............UnitedStates......7.082.................Decrease -0.283[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Now,compare that list to the previously cited list of the 10 mostsocialist countries and notice which countries are on both lists andmostly ranked way higher than America.SEVEN![/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Denmark
Finland
Netherlands
Canada
Sweden
Norway
NewZealand[/FONT]
Nuff said!
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Top10 Most Socialist Countries in the World[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ByPeerform · [/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]OnDecember 6, 2012[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Theterm socialist has been thrown around quite a bit in the past fewyears. Not since the cold war has the term garnered so much attentionin the press and from politicians. But when you look at countries whoactually have a socialist economic structure, you can see somesimilarities to the United States but there are some really starkdifferences.
Below, you will see some of the most socialisticnations in the worldtoday:
China
Denmark
Finland
Netherlands
Canada
Sweden
Norway
Ireland
NewZealand
Belgium
Despite popular myths, there is very littleconnection between economic performance and welfare expenditure. Manyof the countries on this list are proof of that, such as Denmark andFinland. Even though both countries are more socialistic thanAmerica, the workforce remains stronger.
China
In China thegovernment manages and controls the economy. Many of the domesticcompanies are owned and run by the government. Recently, the Chineseeconomy has become more geared towards capitalism, but is stillofficially socialist. Life in China remains relatively less stressfuland more relaxed than life in capitalist countries likeAmerica.
Denmark
Denmark has a wide range of welfarebenefits that they offer their citizens. As a result, they also havethe highest taxes in the world. Equality is considered the mostimportant value in Denmark. Small businesses thrive, with over 70percent of companies having 50 employees or less.
Finland
Finlandhas one of the worlds best education systems, with no tuition feesand also giving free meals to their students. The literacy rate inFinland is 100 percent. Finland has one of the highest standards ofliving 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 economyremains at a minimum, but a socialist welfare system remains. Thelifestyle in the Netherlands is very egalitarian and organized, whereeven bosses do not discipline or treat their subordinatesrudely.
Canada
Like the Netherlands, Canada also has mostlya free market economy, but has a very extensive welfare system thatincludes free health and medical care. Canadians remain moreopen-minded and liberal than Americans, and Canada is ranked as oneof the best top five countries to live in by the United Nations andthe Human Development Index (HDI) rankings.
Sweden andNorway
Sweden has a large welfare system, but due to a highnational debt, required much government intervention in the economy.In Norway, the government controls certain key aspects of thenational economy, and they also have one of the best welfare systemsin the world, with Norway having one of the highest standards ofliving in all of Europe. Norway is not a member of the EuropeanUnion.
Ireland
Ireland has arguably one of the best welfaresystems in the world, with unemployment checks higher on average thanDenmark or Switzerlands average. Around 25 percent of Irelands GDPgoes towards paying for the welfare system, as compared to 15 percentof America GDP towards Americas social support programs.
NewZealand
New Zealand may not be a socialist country, but thewelfare system in the country is very wide ranging, offering supportfor housing, unemployment, health, child care, and education as well.Therefore, New Zealand has many of the characteristics of a socialistcountry, even while remaining officially free market.[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Andthen comparing countries that have somewhat more socialist policiesaimed at improving their people's happiness and well being than theUnited States does at present. Interesting how the most socialistcountries score the highest on these type of surveys.[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]WorldHappiness Report[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Wikipedia[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]TheWorld Happiness Report is a measure of happiness published by theUnited Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The reportis edited by Professor John F. Helliwell, of the University ofBritish Columbia and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research;Lord Richard Layard, Director of the Well-Being Programme at LSEsCentre for Economic Performance; and Professor Jeffrey Sachs,Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, Director ofthe SDSN, and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General.[1]
InJuly 2011, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution invitingmember countries to measure the happiness of their people and to usethis to help guide their public policies. On April 2, 2012 this wasfollowed by the first UN High Level Meeting on "Happiness andWell-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm," which was chairedby Prime Minister Jigme Thinley of Bhutan, the first and so far onlycountry to have officially adopted gross national happiness insteadof the gross domestic product as the main developmentindicator.[2]
The first World Happiness Report was released onApril 1, 2012, just ahead of as a foundational text for theconference. It drew international attention as the world's firstglobal happiness survey.[3] The Report outlined the state of worldhappiness, causes of happiness and misery, and policy implications;along with case studies including from Bhutan. In September 2013 thesecond World Happiness Report offered the first annual follow-up.[4]The Report uses data from the Gallup World Poll. The first Reportused available data from 2005-2011, and the second Report usedavailable data from 2005-2012, focusing on the data set from2010-2012.
In the Reports, leading experts in several fieldseconomics, psychology, survey analysis, national statistics, and moredescribe how measurements of well-being can be used effectively toassess the progress of nations. The second Report delved deeper intoissues relating to happiness, including mental illness, the objectivebenefits of happiness, the importance of ethics, policy implications,and links with the OECDs approach to measuring subjective well-beingas well as the Human Development Report.
Internationalrankings
On a scale running from 0 to 10, people in over 150countries, surveyed by Gallup over the period 2010-12, reveal apopulation-weighted average score of 5.1 (out of 10). [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Sixkey variables[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] explainthree-quarters of the variation in annual national average scoresover time and among countries. These six factors include: [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]realGDP per capita[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif],[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]healthylife expectancy[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]havingsomeone to count on[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]perceivedfreedom to make life choices[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]freedomfrom corruption[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif],and [/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]generosity[/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif].[5]
2013ranking (2010-12surveys)
Rank........Country........Happiness........Change inhappiness from2005-07
1.............Denmark...........7.693...................Decrease-0.233
2.............Norway..............7.655...................Increase0.263
3.............Switzerland.......7.650...................Increase0.303
4.............Netherlands.......7.512...................Increase0.054
5.............Sweden.............7.480...................Increase0.171
6.............Canada..............7.477...................Increase0.032
7.............Finland..............7.389....................Decrease-0.283
8.............Austria...............7.369...................Increase0.247
9.............Iceland...............7.355..................N/A
10...........Australia............7.350...................Increase0.040
11............Israel.................7.301...................Increase0.293
12............CostaRica........7.257...................Steady 0.000
13............NewZealand.....7.221..................Decrease -0.210
14......UnitedArab Emirates..7.144.............Increase0.410
15............Panama..............7.143..................Increase0.633
16............Mexico................7.088..................Increase0.535
17............UnitedStates......7.082.................Decrease -0.283[/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Now,compare that list to the previously cited list of the 10 mostsocialist countries and notice which countries are on both lists andmostly ranked way higher than America.SEVEN![/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Denmark
Finland
Netherlands
Canada
Sweden
Norway
NewZealand[/FONT]
Nuff said!
