The 16 most socially advanced countries in the world

[xfreeper]

The 16 most socially advanced countries in the world

The Social Progress Index is a metric that measures progress through fulfillment of basic human needs (rather than traditional indicators of economic growth).
 
Social Progress Imperative

First released in 2013, the Social Progress Index (SPI) measures a comprehensive array of components of social and environmental performance, aggregating them into an overall framework


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/16-most-socially-advanced-countries-2015-4?op=1

[truth_seeker]

Before reading further, let me guess Denmark, Norway, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Singapore, United States

[xfreeper]

you did pretty well until your idea of exceptionalism started clouding your thinking. US didn't crack top 10

[truth_seeker]

you did pretty well until your idea of exceptionalism started clouding your thinking. US didn't crack top 10

The US did make the list of 16. I did not claim to have the top 10, just which might be on the list.

I'm a fairly well read guy. I lived in Germany 1969-70, then wrote a graduate thesis in 1974 comparing the economies of W. Germany and E. Germany. Then from 1974 until 1988 I served in a couple of international firms specializing in foreign ops, to some extent.

I know that if I visited Germany today, there would be huge differences, including American brands like McDonalds', Walmart and Starbucks,  more people would own private motorcars, etc. And their per capita income has improved compared to ours.

American conservatives would probably criticize most of the other places, calling them "socialist." However in reality like the US they have mixed economies, with surprisingly little more government ownership of the factors of economic production., than the US.

Take the muslims out of Europe, and they have reached a nice level of civilization. But the muslims are becoming an equalizer with our black, and the degradation they do to American cities.

[Oceander]

The US did make the list of 16. I did not claim to have the top 10, just which might be on the list.

I'm a fairly well read guy. I lived in Germany 1969-70, then wrote a graduate thesis in 1974 comparing the economies of W. Germany and E. Germany. Then from 1974 until 1988 I served in a couple of international firms specializing in foreign ops, to some extent.

I know that if I visited Germany today, there would be huge differences, including American brands like McDonalds', Walmart and Starbucks,  more people would own private motorcars, etc. And their per capita income has improved compared to ours.

American conservatives would probably criticize most of the other places, calling them "socialist." However in reality like the US they have mixed economies, with surprisingly little more government ownership of the factors of economic production., than the US.

Take the muslims out of Europe, and they have reached a nice level of civilization. But the muslims are becoming an equalizer with our black, and the degradation they do to American cities.

"Socialist" doesn't just include government ownership of the factors of production.  Most socialists actually prefer corporatism, wherein government uses heavy-handed regulation and heavy taxation to indirectly manage/control the factors of production.

[truth_seeker]

"Socialist" doesn't just include government ownership of the factors of production.  Most socialists actually prefer corporatism, wherein government uses heavy-handed regulation and heavy taxation to indirectly manage/control the factors of production.

Is that how you think it functions in Europe today? Heavy-handed? Do you think the federal government tells Volkswagen Group, how to move up to the 2nd biggest automaker, displacing GM and Ford?

FYI the Swedish government brought the ultimate demise of Saab, by not giving loan guarantees. Reason: Saab had never earned a profit from cars.

Do you think our government less heavy-handed, taking into account our IRS and not just recently, but going back? 

Our system is the best or near the best, but by other measurements other countries have as much or even more economic freedom.

[Oceander]

Is that how you think it functions in Europe today? Heavy-handed? Do you think the federal government tells Volkswagen Group, how to move up to the 2nd biggest automaker, displacing GM and Ford?

FYI the Swedish government brought the ultimate demise of Saab, by not giving loan guarantees. Reason: Saab had never earned a profit from cars.

Do you think our government less heavy-handed, taking into account our IRS and not just recently, but going back? 

Our system is the best or near the best, but by other measurements other countries have as much or even more economic freedom.

You're putting way more into what I posted than what is reasonably there.  You of all people should know that politics is analog, not digital, and there's a lot of gradation between the various poles.

Do I think that Europe regulates more heavily than the US?  Generally speaking, yes, but the US under the DNC is bidding fair to get there as well.

"Economic freedom" is one of those ugly little phrases - like "fair share" - that means just about whatever the speaker wishes it to mean, without actually having to unpack his/her meaning.

Is "economic freedom" freedom-from, or freedom-to (i.e., negative or positive)?  Is "economic freedom" measured on a relative basis or on some objective reasonably determinable absolute?  Unpack that term and lay out precisely what you mean by it before you go around trying to bash other people on the head with it.