The Myth of ‘Nordic Socialism’

Mel Wild wrote a post that I have been thinking about writing, but I never got around to writing. So, here is a reblog.

Is what Mel wrote exactly what I would have written? Not exactly. Mel is not Tom, fortunately for him.

My skepticism of everyone and everything is probably greater than most. So, for example, I look at those ten facts from the article that Bernie Sanders doesn’t want you to know about so-called “Nordic Socialism” (read Mel’s post), and I don’t think some of those facts belong in the list.

3. In Sweden, as well as in Denmark and Norway, ALL citizens pay high tax rates (that includes the poor!)

In a Socialist state, the object of those in power is to control the people as much as possible. To control the people, those in power first seek to control the wealth of the people. Those in charge only pay lip service to this creed.

From each according to his ability; to each according to his need. — Karl Marx

Socialism is a big lie. Hence, point 3 goes against those who say the Nordic states are not Socialistic in character. High taxes maximize control of the people’s wealth. Socialist tyrants live to enslave everyone. Slavery is a 100% taxation rate.

5. Free college’ is not really that ‘free.’ (70% of Swedish students take out school loans).

Whether or not 70% of Swedish students take out loans is immaterial. The issue is whether or not the colleges are state owned and operated. Once the government controls their financing, the government controls the colleges.

The problem with Socialism is that ultimately the government runs absolutely anything and everything. In a fully developed Socialist state we don’t have any rights because we don’t have any choices.

9. Norway benefits (hugely) from fossil fuels. (I highly doubt they would embrace AOC’s Green New Deal that seeks to eliminate fossel fuels!)

What does this point prove? Well, it doesn’t show that Norway is not a Socialist State. Any Socialist state would be quite happy to have a sovereign wealth fund (see Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Definition (investopedia.com)). The fact that Norway created the fund from its oil trade is not relevant.

The Green New Deal is not Socialism, and it is not required for Socialism. The Green New Deal is just an excuse for embracing Socialism. The amazing thing about the Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global is that the government still has not squandered away the money into the pockets of crooked people.

Bottom Line

Is “Nordic Socialism” real? That is, are Sweden, Norway, and Denmark really as Socialistic as Bernie Sanders would have us believe? No. What are the most important points in Mel Wild’s post? 

1. The Nordic nations have relatively free economic systems.
2. The Nordic nations are backing away from Socialism.
3. Sweden has adopted a School Choice model.

The greatest danger posed by Socialism is that it gives the government the power to dominate information. Socialism is not about sharing the wealth. Socialism is about enticing and then forcing the people to conform to the will of the state. That is why any Socialist state puts itself in control of the information we receive and the thoughts we are permitted to express. Ignorant people are the most easily controlled. We cannot oppose what we don’t understand and cannot even talk about.  Today we see tyrants trying to gain such control through what we call the “cancel culture.” 

In a fully formed Communist state — what Bernie Sanders’ Socialism actually looks like — either 10-15% of our population would be in gulags where they would be worked to death or the economy would have completely collapsed and large numbers would be starving. This is the fearful end of the path where Socialism leads. That is why Sanders points to “Nordic Socialism”, to hide from us the experience of nations like Russia, China, Cambodia and Venezuela.