Pretty much all countries do this stuff to some degree: In the US, be popular and possibly rich, and you can be more likely to get out of criminal charges. The

Pretty much all countries do this stuff to some degree: In the US, be popular and possibly rich, and you can be more likely to get out of criminal charges. The credit system doesn't always really tell how responsible you are: live within your means and simply save money for things and drive used cars, and you'll have to pay more for a house loan. It doesn't matter if you've held a lease for the last 12 years if your landlord doesn't report the credit, same for utilities. Get a loan or else. I'm not saying everywhere has the same level of surveillance and punishment for deviance, simply that everywhere has them in some form or another. Of course a few are going to remind you of other places. I suppose it is the totality and how they impact day to day life that makes the difference.