3 ms·

We have pretty much all that in Germany. Healthcare is mostly public and affordable, strong social safety net, free childcare in lots of cities, free schools &

We have pretty much all that in Germany. Healthcare is mostly public and affordable, strong social safety net, free childcare in lots of cities, free schools & higher education (and if you/your family meet some criteria, you'll actually get "student loans" that are generally interest-free and you only need to pay back half of it). Want to start a company while unemployed? You'll get subsidies you don't need to pay back to get you started etc etc etc. Germany's top startups are mostly copy cats, and that's pretty much all VCs will invest in (granted, they're not VC by SV standards, but mostly just investors). We're #51 on that list you posted. I don't believe that entrepreneurship is significantly encouraged or discouraged by what happens if you fail or whether child care is free or expensive. Imho even regulation and red tape isn't the primary issue, but the local culture's general relationship with risk vs safety. Germans save more than e.g. US citizens, and they don't move to other states within Germany nearly as much (even though it's really not that far, Germany is smaller than California). > Imagine innovative companies providing that service to better recruit and retain talent. What you do to get & keep talent (aka "the elite") doesn't necessarily scale to the population at large. If you pay someone $200k, adding $10k for perks doesn't matter as much. It's very different if you're paying them $50k.

specialist 7y ago
Hmmm. I'd love to know if you're right (less wrong) about culture. How does Finland punch above their weight? Can't we steal some of their fire? While I advocate for a democratic socialist utopia (Denmark), I'd support anything that moves the needle to the left. When Reagan-era policies are now regarded as marxism, methinks we've gone too far in the other direction.
- luckylion 7y ago
  > How does Finland punch above their weight? Can't we steal some of their fire? I mean, Finland fought off the Soviet Union's invasion, punching above their weight seems to be their national pasttime. Maybe size matters, just like small companies will be more agile than large ones, smaller states will be able to pivot easier. > When Reagan-era policies are now regarded as marxism, methinks we've gone too far in the other direction. We have essentially the opposite trend in Germany. Social democrat policies of the 70ies and 80ies are considered conservative/reactionary today. I still believe we should establish some international citizenship trading system. Apparently plenty of Americans would love to get into Europe and I know quite a few Europeans who'd like to emigrate to the US. That'd really allow voting with your feet.

specialist 7y ago

Hmmm. I'd love to know if you're right (less wrong) about culture. How does Finland punch above their weight? Can't we steal some of their fire? While I advocate for a democratic socialist utopia (Denmark), I'd support anything that moves the needle to the left. When Reagan-era policies are now regarded as marxism, methinks we've gone too far in the other direction.

luckylion 7y ago
> How does Finland punch above their weight? Can't we steal some of their fire? I mean, Finland fought off the Soviet Union's invasion, punching above their weight seems to be their national pasttime. Maybe size matters, just like small companies will be more agile than large ones, smaller states will be able to pivot easier. > When Reagan-era policies are now regarded as marxism, methinks we've gone too far in the other direction. We have essentially the opposite trend in Germany. Social democrat policies of the 70ies and 80ies are considered conservative/reactionary today. I still believe we should establish some international citizenship trading system. Apparently plenty of Americans would love to get into Europe and I know quite a few Europeans who'd like to emigrate to the US. That'd really allow voting with your feet.