5 ms·

Ask HN: Free Countries

5 points by version_five 5y ago

I'm interested to hear to what extent a person can mind their own business in different countries without interference from the state (or their fellow citizens). I'm not asking about the merits, just curious where there is a strong concept of personal freedom. Thanks!

YXNjaGVyZWdlbgo 5y ago
simne 5y ago
You should make difference between political freedom and economical freedom.
geofft 5y ago
The word "freedom" gets used in so many ways by so many partisan folks. Can you give concrete examples of what you mean? For instance, even within the USA, there are certain people who find more "personal freedom" in rural, sparsely-populated areas, and certain people who find more "personal freedom" in a high-rise apartment building in a big city where nobody makes eye contact with their neighbors. Which one is more up your alley?
- agent008t 5y ago
  Also, you could have a country with a very libertarian government - few laws but good law enforcement and 0 crime - but with a very traditionalist, homogeneous and judgmental population. So while you will not be breaking any laws, and there will be no violence against you or your property, the locals will disapprove of you and you will not have a good time. Would that make such a country free or non-free?
sebastien_b 5y ago
Without more context, it’s going to be very hard to get any answers.
atsaloli 5y ago
Check out the Human Freedom Index https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index/2021 https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index/2021
- seattle_spring 5y ago
  Great list, though Canada being in the top 10 might make some people shake with rage.
- bestcoder69 5y ago
  Damn, the United States, yet again, got out-ranked by every one of the top libertarian countries[0]. [0]: Denmark, Finland, Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Iceland (everyone forgets about Iceland!) ... (But seriously... who is this list even for? Why would you possibly care about a Freedom Number™? What does that do for you? This is like those stupid LinkedIn top 100 best companies to work for lists. Its like... you sure did gather up some numbers and do something with them... but why?)
  - pinephoneguy 5y ago
    As someone who was hardly threatened over the vaccines after the president who’s party had control of the legislator did everything they could to force it on everyone I think the US’ position is wrong.
  - geofft 5y ago
    I'm genuinely curious - this is the first I've heard of those countries being referred to as "libertarian." What makes them libertarian? Among other things, they all have substantial taxes (in the 25-40% of take-home income range) and use it to fund substantial civic infrastructure / state-run welfare. My understanding is that libertarianism is generally sympathetic to the position that taxation is theft, and libertarianism is incompatible with large governments and large social safety nets. But it seems like I'm missing something. (I usually see these countries being described as social-democratic - is that incorrect?)
    - 5y ago

5 points by version_five 5y ago

YXNjaGVyZWdlbgo 5y ago

simne 5y ago

You should make difference between political freedom and economical freedom.

geofft 5y ago

The word "freedom" gets used in so many ways by so many partisan folks. Can you give concrete examples of what you mean? For instance, even within the USA, there are certain people who find more "personal freedom" in rural, sparsely-populated areas, and certain people who find more "personal freedom" in a high-rise apartment building in a big city where nobody makes eye contact with their neighbors. Which one is more up your alley?

agent008t 5y ago
Also, you could have a country with a very libertarian government - few laws but good law enforcement and 0 crime - but with a very traditionalist, homogeneous and judgmental population. So while you will not be breaking any laws, and there will be no violence against you or your property, the locals will disapprove of you and you will not have a good time. Would that make such a country free or non-free?

sebastien_b 5y ago

Without more context, it’s going to be very hard to get any answers.

atsaloli 5y ago

Check out the Human Freedom Index https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index/2021 https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index/2021

seattle_spring 5y ago
Great list, though Canada being in the top 10 might make some people shake with rage.
bestcoder69 5y ago
Damn, the United States, yet again, got out-ranked by every one of the top libertarian countries[0]. [0]: Denmark, Finland, Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Iceland (everyone forgets about Iceland!) ... (But seriously... who is this list even for? Why would you possibly care about a Freedom Number™? What does that do for you? This is like those stupid LinkedIn top 100 best companies to work for lists. Its like... you sure did gather up some numbers and do something with them... but why?)
- pinephoneguy 5y ago
  As someone who was hardly threatened over the vaccines after the president who’s party had control of the legislator did everything they could to force it on everyone I think the US’ position is wrong.
- geofft 5y ago
  I'm genuinely curious - this is the first I've heard of those countries being referred to as "libertarian." What makes them libertarian? Among other things, they all have substantial taxes (in the 25-40% of take-home income range) and use it to fund substantial civic infrastructure / state-run welfare. My understanding is that libertarianism is generally sympathetic to the position that taxation is theft, and libertarianism is incompatible with large governments and large social safety nets. But it seems like I'm missing something. (I usually see these countries being described as social-democratic - is that incorrect?)
  - 5y ago