----- Original Message -----
From: "Jed Rothwell"
In terms of economic competitiveness, even without the benefit
of natural resources, the message has been clear for years.
Socialism rules.
I disagree. Finland's wealth comes from private corporations
such as Nokia.
That is not disagreement at all!
Socialism in the Scandinavian context depends heavily on private
corporations. These companies themselves become "little
governments". However, the comment about "pragmatism" is
definitely the key word. That and "accountability." Those
corporations under socialism are less "private" and far more
accountable to both stockholders, and especially to workers.
Government plays only slightly more a direct role in economics
there than here. However, unlike their American counterparts,
control of private companies is generally shared more fully by
workers (who must have a board representative) and by active
stockholder participation, plus to a much greater extent, the
wages and salaries of workers vis-a-vis top management are closer
and more regulated. That is another key - the perceived fairness
of compensation - huge CEO salaries which we see in the USA, and
especially where dividends are not being paid, would never be
permitted there - very pragmatic. Workers work harder when they
see that they are treated fairly in compensation.
The USA is slowly moving towards the Scandinavian model, because
we are (despite lip service to unbridled-capitalism) also very
pragmatic people. Forbes Magazine itself is the "mouthpiece of
capitalism," no? Yet they tell it like it is... and when pragmatic
capitalists see a model that works better, and it is clear that
Scandinavian Socialism works better, then we invariably move in
that direction - all the while never letting-on that the
particular model came directly from socialism. Very pragmatic
indeed.
Jones
