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I think we're dancing around the fundamentals: Capitalism vs. Socialism. Yes, socialism is about social contracts at the expense of greatly reduced freedom for

by eplanit 17y ago

I think we're dancing around the fundamentals: Capitalism vs. Socialism. Yes, socialism is about social contracts at the expense of greatly reduced freedom for business owners and also career-builders. Freedom = Risk. Potential for creating wealth and new markets come from Free economies. Great inventions do not come from people toiling in "full-time pensionable positions". Like you say, in order to truly grow they need to break out of that world and come to a place that allows their entrepreneurial skills to grow. Wooden buildings are a problem? With regard to the rest of your complaints -- keep in mind it's a compliment to a superpower to blame all the world's ills on it. For such a small population we sure do rule it, eh?

barrkel 17y ago
I don't think Europe is unfree, or broadly socialist - there are some social compromises, but it's not non-capitalist. And it's not like the US has a free economy either - there are plenty of restrictions, tax breaks / subsidies, etc. For example, creating a limited company in Ireland cost me no more than 200 EUR or so and a couple of days. Most governmental administration was in the form of an annual return, but providing accounts isn't necessary for the first return. You send off your income tax monthly, and corporation tax (12.5%) yearly. And VAT isn't a concern until you hit a revenue threshold. The bigger problems in Ireland are networking, partnership opportunities, etc. From what I've read of obligations on employers in California, the going is somewhat rougher. For example, I see that CA has an 800 USD annual tax for the equivalent, LLCs. WRT to your boasts of ruling the world, I don't think it quite works that way. Current international trends are quite Westphalian in nature - the US military can't be stretched much further and soft power is fairly easily ignored. See e.g. http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2010/03/what_does_american_weakness_mean_europe http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2010/03/what_does... for some discussion of the limitations.

by eplanit 17y ago

barrkel 17y ago

I don't think Europe is unfree, or broadly socialist - there are some social compromises, but it's not non-capitalist. And it's not like the US has a free economy either - there are plenty of restrictions, tax breaks / subsidies, etc. For example, creating a limited company in Ireland cost me no more than 200 EUR or so and a couple of days. Most governmental administration was in the form of an annual return, but providing accounts isn't necessary for the first return. You send off your income tax monthly, and corporation tax (12.5%) yearly. And VAT isn't a concern until you hit a revenue threshold. The bigger problems in Ireland are networking, partnership opportunities, etc. From what I've read of obligations on employers in California, the going is somewhat rougher. For example, I see that CA has an 800 USD annual tax for the equivalent, LLCs. WRT to your boasts of ruling the world, I don't think it quite works that way. Current international trends are quite Westphalian in nature - the US military can't be stretched much further and soft power is fairly easily ignored. See e.g. http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2010/03/what_does_american_weakness_mean_europe http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2010/03/what_does... for some discussion of the limitations.