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From an European (Belgian, if you're interested) perspective, it's borderline shocking that these questions are so hotly debated. When I contrast the image I g
by norswap 12y ago
From an European (Belgian, if you're interested) perspective, it's borderline shocking that these questions are so hotly debated.
When I contrast the image I get by consuming American media and what I witness here, the contrast is astonishing. Social mobility seems to be much more prevalent here than in the states. Of course, the gap between "poors" and "rich" is much smaller. But I can legitimately say that everyone here has a chance to make it. It might be harder for some, but it's rare to really have your head under the water, as I've heard happens often to poor people in the states (too many accounts, both from traditional and social media, too discount as pure fancy).
It's shocking that education is not a right. Here, it costs less than half a month salary to get tuition for a year; and the level is good besides (w.r.t. the states, not saying it couldn't be better).
And in the end? The quality of life is I believe the same here as in most well off places in the states. But the people at the bottom suffer less. That's a win in my book.
- jeffreyrogers 12y agoThese are all good points, but it's also important to realize that American and European populations are very different in regards to constituency (you touched on this a bit with your point about the rich-poor gap). So a simple drop-in-place European substitute isn't likely to be as effective as it might seem. That's not to say that things don't need to change or that they have to be this way, but I think it will require more than simply copying Europe.
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]
- Dewie 12y ago> From an European (Belgian, if you're interested) That's certainly more interesting than just the generic European. EDIT: I mean: saying that you are of a certain nationality is more specific, and therefore more interesting, than just saying that you are from somewhere on that continent!
- norswap 12y agoDon't know why you are getting downvoted, it's a fair point. Belgium is known for welfare; however, I think that most countries in western Europe do not fall very far. I don't really know much about the situation in eastern Europe (say everything east of Germany, excluding Scandinavia).