http://www.libsdebunked.com/socialism/scandinavian-socialism-argument/
A popular argument in support of high taxes is to bring up the success of the Scandinavian socialist system. Liberals like to point out that Scandinavia (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) enjoys a strong economy and high standard of living despite high taxes and a cradle-to-grave welfare system.
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The problem is that the success of Scandinavian socialism is a myth. It’s false. It doesn’t work for them and it wouldn’t work for us.
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1. Scandinavia isn’t really all that socialist
Scandinavian countries have certain socialist characteristics such as high taxes and extensive welfare systems. However, these countries have relatively capitalistic markets. Scandinavian businesses are mostly free from regulation, nationalization and protectionism.
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2. Scandinavia isn’t actually as prosperous as liberals like to claim
A study by Swedish group Timbro compared the GDP of various European Union nations to those of individual states in the United States. As stated by the study:
“If the EU were a part of the United States of America, would it belong to the richest or the poorest group of states?”
Denmark:
If Denmark were one of the US states, it would rank tenth among the poorest states for per capita GDP.
Finland:
Finland would come in fifth among the poorest if it were a US state.
Sweden:
Sweden would be the seventh-poorest as a state of the US.
Additionally, the study found that the United States as a whole ranks higher in economic output per person than every European Union nation except for the tax haven economy of Switzerland. Denmark, Sweden and Finland all ranked significantly lower than the United States. Norway was not included in the study as it is not a member of the EU.
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3. Scandinavians have lower gross and disposable incomes
People in Scandinavia make less money before taxes and after taxes.
United States:
Average disposable income: 31,410 US Dollars
Average gross income: 42,028 US Dollars
Norway:
Average disposable income: 25,224 US Dollars
Average gross income: 37,094 US Dollars
Finland:
Average yearly income: 24,958 US Dollars
Sweden:
Average yearly income: 22,387 US Dollars
Denmark:
Average yearly income: 23,213 US Dollars
Iceland:
Average yearly income: 22,387 US Dollars
This completely destroys the point that liberals like to make about individuals living better in Scandinavia than they do in the United States. On top of that, Scandinavian countries have some of the highest costs of living in Europe.
(Article is available in its entirety at the link. Zim)
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