What are the key things that make America such a great place to live compared to Scandanvian Countries??

Question

I mean considering that scandanavian countries (norway, sweden, finland, denmark) have things like subsidised housing, health care and education and the scandanavian countries have much higher standards of living than the US, why is America still a better place to live than in Scandanavian countries?

Answer 1

First of all I would like to point out that I don't think it's possible to objectively compare countries like that; it will always end up in a "my country is better than yours" fight spiced up with a couple of "our country sucks, it's better everywhere else" comments. In the end it always depends on the personal preferences: some people may think it's great to live in a hut in Africa and enjoy the local atmosphere and culture without continuous competition and work-related stress, untouched nature and cheerfulness in the middle of unimaginable poverty. That's not my cup of tea, but I understand that some people may think so. But if I, as a Finn, throw a few opinions into this conversation anyways:

USA is unquestionably the richest country in the world (measured with money and physical wealth in general, as we usually tend to do). All the others follow way behind, some more and some a little less, but still there shouldn't be any doubt, no matter which economical scale you use. So, as the question is under economics, then this is the hardest fact and most valid argument. However, I definitely don't envy all those millions of poor people living in USA. And there are many of them. It's the difference in values and a conscious choice of the structure of society what makes these countries seemingly so different. If we simplify (a lot), then in USA people value the freedom and property of an individual more than they are troubled by the suffering and deaths of their fellows and neighbors. In Scandinavian countries people are more or less on the opposite side of that scale.

These differences result into the societies and their differences we see today. There are very, very rich people and several extremely successful companies in the USA, even so that the average monetary wealth is greatest in the whole wide world, even though there is the downside: extreme poverty occurs, there's unbelievable crime rates, education and medical care are hard to come by if you happen to be one of the poor... On the other hand there are places like Scandinavia. Here are no illiterate people, even the outcasts of the society are somewhat looked after and taken care of, children really have the equal opportunities when it comes to education and so on... But naturally this all comes with a cost, and nobody should be claiming otherwise. The taxation is heavy, and thus it is very difficult for companies based in Finland to succeed globally (and if they happen to do so, even more difficult for them to resist the urge to move the production somewhere where labor is cheap, and headquarters somewhere where taxation is low). Unemployment is always an issue, because of the minimum wage regulations...

Even with these simplifications the comparison between Scandinavia and USA is somewhat naive thing to do. We should always remember that there are several countries in Scandinavia, and even if we pool all the people of these countries together, there is still only enough to barely fill a couple of medium-sized cities of USA. USA can trust in it's natural resources and huge industrial capacity in several cases and employ economical strategies which were never possible in a single Scandinavian country; on the other hand the highly efficient public education system used for example in Finland (something we actually can be proud of) would probably not work too well in such a large scale needed if utilized in USA.

So let's state some provocative opinions now when we have pleased both sides. Which country would I choose to live in? Well, I've already made my decision. I know it would be hell to be poor in the USA compared to being poor in Scandinavia, but I'm not poor. I have higher education, and I know I would make a lot (and I mean: a lot) more money if I worked in the USA, just by doing the same things I'm currently doing here. And to be honest, I'm just so damn good in what I do that I wouldn't have any problems in productivity or with increased competition or whatever in the work market. Even after I'd pay for my health expenses and heck, let's add a couple of kids with all the expenses needed for good education, I'd still probably make more money to improve "the standards of living". I'd have a bigger house, a bigger car (or two) if I worked there. The language wouldn't (obviously) be a problem, and neither would the working permit or any other bureaucratic detail.

But I just don't think I would enjoy living there. I understand that USA has no need for good PR, so their imago (their foreign policy... I mean, should I laugh or cry?) is not one of the best. An average US resident seems to be either an ignorant redneck who can barely read and would shoot me for having a wrong haircut, or an African-American who will take a gun and shoot before or after robbing me. I mean I know things are not like that, but that's the image we non-US people easily get. I really wonder why. Another thing I wonder is how on earth they keep all the poor people so content there? Why don't they vote? As far as I've understood the turnout percentage is not too good in any election in the USA. Why don't the people under the poverty line vote? And all the few opinions I've seen/heard from the not-so-well-doing US residents, they all seem to be angry and unhappy with the current government, but still they are oh so proud to be American and think it's the best place on earth for them. If they gave these things even a little thought, I sincerely doubt they would reject a warm apartment and monthly allowance even if it meant losing the happy feeling that Coca Cola is making great profits again. Somehow I see the same effect there as with the former Soviet Union: at one point, the poverty was extreme and people were starving, but still the public image of a normal citizen was proudly promoting the socialistic ideals and believed the SU was the best place ever to live in. I mean, someone is bullshitting someone quite heavily here, but I really don't know enough of the backgrounds to say who either of the someone is. And, I seriously doubt that you, dear reader, know it either. Even if you think so.

So, my choice is to stay here in Finland, where even the poor people are relatively free of anger towards government or immigrants or whatever, and where I can feel that the taxes I pay are used to spread health, food and education to other people; not death, destruction, anger or hatred. It's not about how much taxes I pay, it's about what they are used for. Oh, and just as a notice: if you think that for example war on Iraq spreads freedom or any other good idealism, or makes the world a safer place, then I disagree and would recommend thinking about things a little bit more.

Answer 2

Scandinavian countries certainly do not have a "much higher standard of living" than in the US. Quite the opposite, the US has a substantially higher GDP per capita than any Scandinavian country.

As for the layers of subsidized services, those are costly, and Scandinavian taxes are outrageously high to pay for them, which is one reason it would suck to be a Scandinavian. All subsidized government-supplied services come at the expense of personal freedom, so I wouldn't be bragging about how much you have.

About 2 years ago an American writer living in Norway wrote a column in the New York Times. He was mystified that Norwegians habitually claimed to be the richest people in the world, when he knew otherwise, and to his American eyes they were living in near poverty. These politically correct lists of "most livable" places obviously need to be taken with a grain of salt. If you can't quantify it, it's just one opinion.

Besides, in America we have Texas. I don't see no Texas in Scandihoovia.

Answer 3

Hello, from an American. It's nice to meet you. How many people are lined up, miles deep at each border at each of these Scandinavian countries and waiting for years and years and years for legal entry to one of the one of the Scandinavian countries? Not happening, is it. Don't get me wrong... these are beautiful countries, no doubt. Nice place to visit.... but to live????? I think not. And what the heck is Finland or Sweden remembered for ??? Really, I can't think of a single one. Any big medical break throughs.?? Any innovative technological stars? Oil and gas companies? The best universities and medical faciliities in the world? A hope for for a better tomorow??? .... Do Scandinavians really have any hope for exit from their dismal existence and never ending low wages? You already know the answer, so why ask the question.

Answer 4

<>
All of that requires much higher taxes, which all scandinavian countries have in addition to a higher unemployment rate.

Answer 5

The norm for places like those is double-digit unemployment, insane taxation, and a pretty bleak economic prospective. In the USA around 75% of the wealth is generated by small businesses, which cannot be matched in socialist countries.

Additionally, the socialist systems in many European countries are nearing collapse. This is due to low birth rates, and immigrates coming to take advantage of the generous welfare benefits that you mentioned.

As more baby boomers retire, those systems will be unsustainable.

Answer 6

The top ten most livable countries 2006, U.N. Index:

1. Norway
2. Iceland
3. Australia
4. Ireland
5. Sweden
6. Canada
7. Japan
8. United States
9. Switzerland
10. Netherlands

Answer 7

this is subjective and who knows better than to have lived in bbboth countries and then make the comparison. even then, it is bias depending on the person's personality, upbringing, reaction etc

Answer 8

The climate?

Answer 9

it isnt...denmakrs poverty rate is 2.1 percent americas is 28 we have a neo facist president who have violated the consitution and the 10 amendments...he also sent my brother to war and got him killed...we have financial crisis here and alto of violance point being my dad who was a soldeir in korea thinks im a communist so im gonna move to denmark i love that country he says i wouldnt want to live in any other country B.S.