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> Ignoring not only the money needed for such an initiative The Finnish welfare state began in earnest at a time when the country was not particularly wealthy
by Mediterraneo10 7y ago
> Ignoring not only the money needed for such an initiative
The Finnish welfare state began in earnest at a time when the country was not particularly wealthy and it had little of the internationally renowned industry it has today. Furthermore, Finland managed to ramp up a welfare state at about the same time that it was forced to pay huge reparations to the USSR after World War II. Similarly, Sweden (the country which Finland used as a model for its welfare state) was not originally among the most prosperous nations.
The historical experience of the Nordic countries underscores that a welfare state is not a matter of having unusually large amounts of money compared to other Western European states, but rather it is a matter of taxation and spending priorities. Certainly Norway’s oil wealth lets it have some nicer public infrastructure than the neighbours, but such substantial natural resources are not a prerequisite.
- easytiger 7y ago> but rather it is a matter of taxation and spending priorities. Rubbish. Finland has a sovereign wealth fund and a tiny population
- Mediterraneo10 7y agoWhen it comes to Nordic countries with sovereign wealth funds, you must be confusing Finland with Norway. Finland is not listed here [0], and the country has never had the sort of abundant natural resources that would make it a powerhouse in this regard. Sure, Finland does have forests, but the vacillations in the paper market in recent years and competition from other countries has hurt the economy, not boosted it. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_sovereign_wealth_funds https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_sovereign...
- easytiger 7y agoSo your argument is that it isn't on a wikipedia page so i'm wrong?
- Mediterraneo10 7y agoYou are welcome to do your own research as to the lack of a sovereign wealth fund to power the Finnish welfare state. But the fact you get Finland's economy very wrong should already be clear to you from the downvotes you have attracted.