Sweden Is NOT Socialist

Sweden is often described as a successful socialist experiment, but is this really the case?
In this video, IEA Communications Officer Harrison Griffiths dispels the myth of Swedish socialism. He discusses the findings of a new paper for the Realities of Socialism project, which argues that Sweden owes much of its prosperity to free markets.
To read the full paper, visit www.realitieso...
#freedom #freemarket #socialism #sweden #economics

[@mrkisukes]

When asked what socialism is, the usual response is "collective ownership of the means of production" or something else akin to "opposite of capitalism", yet the Scandinavian countries have strong capitalist economies with private ownership of the means of production. So they usually just mean "welfare state" which isn't something that a socialist state can provide.

[@druharper]

They split the baby, not trusting in free markets, half the growth, half the mobility, regressive taxation, their best leave. It’s like you’re not allowed to be rich, or poor.

[@NoToobForYou]

Many (leftists, usually) confuse welfare state policies with socialism, but socialism means something very specific; state control of the means of production. By several metrics (as alluded to by this gentleman) Sweden has a freer market economy than the US, so yes, it's not socialist.

[@rutessian]

When 40-60% of income is taken in taxes by the government, doesn't that make it part owner in every business, every hour of labor? Yes, high taxes is socialist.

[@kayedal-haddad]

Sweden = a pro Free Market economy with a strong Welfare system.

[@rutessian]

@@kayedal-haddad It's a soon to be failed state hung by it's welfare system. The new Swedes will make sure of it.

[@hisaspher4519]

Really love for this presentation and thank for research about what Sweden socialism and how they create their economic growth. Very cool ❤ . I am Thai, many young generation here are desire for welfare state by citing Sweden is successful democratic socialist state by haven’t read about realities of Sweden.

[@roguenoir]

My parents grew up in a true socialist society: Maoist China so many people were dying to get out of there and leave for capitalist countries like the US or those in Western Europe. I don't know of any Chinese who was born in the West who wanted to move to Communist China (and btw, China today is not Socialist/Communist though they're trying to move back to that and I predict they'll flop even harder and show the world how much of a failure Socialism is.) I'm alright with giving people better safety nets even if it means higher taxes (within reason of course) as long as we continue to maintain the core principles of economic freedom and a capitalism based economy. So many people these days are asking for socialism and say that we should be more like Sweden - oh yes, I totally agree - as long as you don't regret it once you find out that the Swedish model is even more capitalist than the US. If that's you, please seek help (or move to North Korea.)

[@nuclearmonster4259]

People mean socialism by a economy with private ownership but with a lot of goverment programs. I think what your talking about is communism where there is little to no private property. I'm not a socialist but I think you need to know the difference between the two.

[@roguenoir]

@@nuclearmonster4259 I don't have a problem with more social programs as long as they aren't easily abused and I think we could use more in the US. The right likes to call this socialism but it's more of an addon to capitalism to better meet society's needs.

[@sbor2020]

You mean in 1992, the Riksbank raised the interest rate to 500 per cent, *_when the conservative Moderata samlingspartiet under leader Carl Bildt was in government_* ?

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Its going Islamic.

[@Theaikro]

Insha'Allah ❤

[@_Wolfsbane_]

And there we have some far-right drivel.

[@terry6985]

@@_Wolfsbane_ why does being critical of a religion make a person "far right"? In the UK the "Left wing" constantly knock Christianity & Judaism, why aren't they regarded as far right?

[@_Wolfsbane_]

@@terry6985 Sweden isn't going Islamic. That's just far-right idiocy.

[@artpercow]

Sweden, a country that stayed out of WW2 had one of the biggest economies per capita in 1950? You're sure neutrality wasn't a larger contributor to their economic strength in that particular year than any fiscal policy?

[@Landofsensi]

It helped Sweden to get back their economy to the pre war levels faster than outer countries in EU. And then focus on building out their metal industri, "Volvo, Saab, shipbuilding etc" and shifting the economy towards hi end production. And later on expanding the public sector.

[@rutessian]

"Swedes' personal income tax can be as little as 29 per cent of their pay, but most people (anyone earning over £32,000) will pay between 49 and 60 per cent through a combination of local government and state income tax." - yah, that's what socialism looks like. Welfare is inherently a socialist policy. I think it worked for as long as it did due to a homogenous population and high trust society. But with the new Swedes becoming a significant minority both those things will be gone. A few weeks ago they were debating whether to reinstate blasphemy laws or not.

[@Theaikro]

just blame it on immigration 😂 its easy!

[@rickardkarlsson2245]

I pay 23 % of my income in income tax here in Sweden. My wage is slightly below the national median. People with higher wages pay a little more.

[@rutessian]

@@rickardkarlsson2245 Here we have a 10% income tax, but overall taxes amount to about 50%. So, are there other taxes you're paying?

[@larskaminskidk]

@@rickardkarlsson2245 At the same time, your employer pays 33% in social contributions. so that the total tax will be somewhat higher than what you state

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

Sweden has a famous "cradle to grave" social system. In function it is socialism. it was also open to liberalism which included feminism. That has led to social tyranny. So even though Sweden has a capitalist function alive in it, it has a social system that has served to make people dependent and uncreative. It is also why they indulge in social reforming and engineering that has harmed Sweden and the world in general. Sweden's GDP is not anywhere near the U.S., so the U.S. has plenty of excess free market function and capital than Sweden.

[@davidcockayne3381]

Sweden's GDP is less than US? You're having a larf mate. The US population is 32 times greater than that of Sweden. If you compare their respective GDP/per capita there's rather little difference. As for its welfare system, its called democracy. How's that working out in the US at present?

[@Yolk421]

Y’all about to be an islamic state 😂

[@dirkjenkinz595]

Yeah, it is.

[@user-qz9lc1lt2y]

no

[@ninaaniston1717]

Isn’t Sweden a monarchy? 🤔 That kinda flies in the face of socialism…