Language aside, I'd say there is a cultural difference that isn't represented on HN very well, neatly captured by the different connotations of the word "social

Language aside, I'd say there is a cultural difference that isn't represented on HN very well, neatly captured by the different connotations of the word "socialist" inside and outside the US. But debates around liberalism and the free market also play out extremely differently in other parts of the world. Today's (paywalled) FT article addresses some of this: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37e363c2-3cc9-11e4-871d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3DU0K2nhZ http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37e363c2-3cc9-11e4-871d-00144feabd...