> I don't think it's politically possible to create a strong welfare state in a country populated by identifiable groups with differing socioeconomic contributi

> I don't think it's politically possible to create a strong welfare state in a country populated by identifiable groups with differing socioeconomic contributions to the common good. That is wrong. In Belgium you have a strong welfare state, identifiable groups (Flemish people speaking dutch, Walloon people speaking French), with differing socioeconomic contributions to the common good (GDP per capita in 2006 of 27,900 EUR and unemployment < 4.55% (2012) in Flanders vs 20,100 EUR and 10.12% in Wallonia [1]). Of course there is perpetual political bickering and stereotypes, but so far they manage. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Belgium https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Belgium