艺萌

附：一位挪威裔美国人的思考：

“Why won't the Nordic Model work for the United States?”

为何北欧模式不适合美国

Erik Norgaard

 Norwegian American. Proud of Nordic capitalism.

“Why won't the Nordic Model work for the United States?”

I’m Nordic. Norwegian more precisely. But I live in America.

You’ve likely heard that Nordic Capitalism is not socialism. If not, here’s someone more knowledgeable on that topic:

Speaking at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen told students "I know that some people in the US associate the Nordic model with some sort of socialism. Therefore I would like to make one thing clear. Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy. Denmark is a market economy,”[1]

Here’s my thoughts:

Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland have slightly different forms of what Americans call the Nordic Model. Since I’m Norwegian, I’ll compare to Norway’s version.

Here’s what it would take in America:

1. Near univeral patriotism for one’s country. Norway has had its hardships throughout history. Starvations, slavery, invasions, wars, corruption, etc. But taking pride in your country, regardless of historical events is paramount. Nordic countries are a thousand years older than America. It wasn’t always ABBA, lutefisk and Nordic nice.

   
   

2. Increased immigration controls. In order to enjoy taxpayer funded benefits, you must maintain strict adherence to immigration laws. In Norway, controlling immigration is much easier than in America: frigid climate, extremely rough terrain, smaller communities and accessing through seaports and airports has rigorous checking. If you’re not a citizen, you can’t stay long.

3. Reduce amount spent assisting other countries. America spends an inordinate amount of money policing the world and helping other countries. Sure it’s in our best interests, but if you want all the benefits of the Nordic Model you have to finance it somehow.

4. Government controlled oil and mineral rights. That’s where the majority of funding comes from: the North Sea. Even then, politicians realize that it won’t last forever. So, the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth fund was created to invest in businesses…ala capitalism. It has over US$1 trillion in assets, including 1.3% of global stocks and shares, making it the world's largest sovereign wealth fund.[2]

5. Smaller Population. Less people to care for. Less land mass to traverse. Thus easier to provide resources for a smaller group of people living in less square kilometers.

6. Stong work ethic. Most every Scandinavian person descended from a farmer. Working is ingrained in our soul. We do it for the good of our families and for the love of our country. It’s a habit.

7. Guns. Yep, Nordic people enjoy their right to self defense. And, if Norway was ever invaded again, then the people can defend their homeland.

8. Required military/civil service. Want free education? Not so fast. You’ll have to serve your country regardless of gender.

9. High personal Taxes. Low corporate taxes. Personal Income Tax Rate in Norway is expected to be 38.52 percent and nearly every citizen is taxed more than in America. Sales tax VAT is 25%. Corporate tax rate of 24%. Better than in America[3].

The likelihood of American politicians convincing the populace that all these (and more) structural challenges are required to sustain the Nordic Model in America is highly unrealistic.

It’s more likely that the horrific Marxist / socialist model that’s destroyed many civilizations would be adopted in America.

I love Norway. Absolutely love it. But my family emigrated to America to have better life