[Culturechat] Denmark: A Case Study in Social Democracy (From Mises Inst...

[Samovar9@aol.com]

WesTexas (J.Brown) notes that Mr. Hansen's article stated that only 45% of 
Danes were employed in the private sector while the rest were receiving full or 
part time transfer payments from the government (including pensions) and/or 
working for the government.  

He concludes by saying: "All of the countries that have tried extreme 
collectivism have ultimately had to resort to the use of force to keep their citizens 
from escaping, e.g., the Soviet Union, East Germany; North Korea, Cuba, etc."

I hope he is not suggesting that Denmark is comparable to these countries.  I 
agree with other messages that talk about the Dane's constant complaint about 
the weight of taxes but also with one who said that the Danes enjoy a very 
high standard of living and, despite their grumbling, live very well indeed, 
very different from Soviets, East Germans, North Koreans, Cubans, etc.

Until 40-50 years ago, Denmark was remarkably homogeneous in its ethnic 
makeup.  The influx of Turks and others of quite different cultural traditions has 
led to some tensions and may be a factor in the rise of crime.  But, it's 
still a pretty tight little series of islands (plus Jutland) where the vast 
majority of the populace appreciates the comfort of the welfare state under which 
they live. 

While tax rates are impressive (up to 70%), the Danes have become masters at 
tax evasion and usually pay far less than the theoretical rates suggest.

Paul