So far, it seems that a well-designed OO language can get you closer to the best of both worlds than if you start from ML-style functional languages. Consider

So far, it seems that a well-designed OO language can get you closer to the best of both worlds than if you start from ML-style functional languages. Consider that C# let's you have all three of your essentials: It doesn't have higher-kinded types, but it does have monad comprehensions (LINQ + SelectMany)… the special syntax is nice but not necessary. It has type classes in the form of implicit conversions. It has modules in the form of static classes. C# even lets you do Smalltalk-style OO without too much fuss. The biggest problem with C# and pethaps OO in general is the lack of intellectual curiosity.