According to a recent survey by the World Economic Forum, Scandinavian countries are ranked at the top of the list for global competitiveness. Finland is No. 1, ahead of the U.S., for example. “It is one of the leading monitors of the competitive condition of economies worldwide,” as the Forum’s website says. Here are the top ten:
1. Finland
2. U.S.A.
3. Sweden
4. Denmark
5. Taiwan
6. Singapore
7. Iceland
8. Switzerland
9. Norway
10. Australia
Obviously MIA: Japan, France, Germany, China, UK.
One conclusion that they draw is that contrary to received wisdom in many parts, especially in the U.S. (see internalized propaganda musing above,) high taxes and enlightened social policies do not in fact necessarily stunt the growth of economies — in fact, exactly the opposite, if one were to judge by this survey.
