Scandinavia — Worker’s Paradise or Capitalist Haven
Perhaps you’ve “felt the Bern” (Sen. Bernie Sanders) or heard other like sources talk about the Socialist (Worker’s) Paradise to be found in Scandinavia. Most often the focus is on Sweden, though the other two countries sometimes get similar attention. Here’s the gist of it: Scandinavia has given the world a “third-way” economic model referred to as Democratic Socialism that successfully integrates the wealth creation of Capitalism with the social safety net of Socialism. In this model, government grows in size and reach into individual lives and business operations with the associated increase of taxation for both groups. However, the benefits provided by said government outweigh the cost, according to the advocates. These same sources then go on to advocate this model for the United States.
Select a (just one!) Scandinavian country: Sweden, Norway or Denmark.
Review the definitions of Capitalism and Socialism below. Using these as a guide, look at the behavior of your chosen state within the framework provide.
Research its economic and political behavior from 1990 to 2020.
Now analyze.
Was your country’s economic system more socialist or capitalist in 1990?
Was it more or less socialist or capitalist in 2020?
Explain the direction of change and what it suggest about the effectiveness of “Democratic Socialism”.
Provide evidence for your conclusion.
Did the size of government grow or shrink during this time?
Did businesses have more or less control by the government during this time?
Did the tax rate for business and individuals grow or shrink during this time?
Using these and other questions that support your points, make your case — is your country more Capitalist or Socialist today?
