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Product Identifiers

PublisherWND News Center

ISBN-101944229396

ISBN-139781944229399

eBay Product ID (ePID)227760258

Product Key Features

Book TitleDebunking Utopia : Exposing the Myth of Nordic Socialism

Number of Pages240 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicPolitical Ideologies / Communism, Post-Communism & Socialism, Sociology / General, Political Ideologies / Fascism & Totalitarianism, World / European, Economic Conditions, Public Policy / Social Policy, Political, Utopias

Publication Year2016

GenrePhilosophy, Political Science, Social Science, Business & Economics

AuthorNima Sanandaji

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.7 in

Item Weight9.6 Oz

Item Length8.6 in

Item Width5.7 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2016-013123

Dewey Edition23

Dewey Decimal335.50948

SynopsisAt first glance, Nordic countries seem to have everything liberals want to see in America: equal income distribution, good health, low levels of poverty, and thriving economies, all co-existing with big welfare states. By copying Nordic policies, many in the American left hope to transform America to a similar socialist "utopia." In Debunking Utopia , Swedish author Nima Sanandaji explains why this is all wishful thinking. He systematically proves that the high levels of income equality, high lifespans and other signs of social success in the Nordics all predate the expansion of the welfare state. If anything, the Nordic countries reached their peak during the mid-twentieth century, when they had low taxes and small welfare states. Perhaps most astonishing are his findings that Nordic-Americans consistently outperform their cousins who live across the ocean. People of Nordic descent who live under the American capitalist system not only enjoy higher levels of income, but also a lower level of poverty than the citizens of the Nordic countries themselves., Left-leaning academics, liberal pop stars such as Bruce Springsteen, and Democrat politicians from Bernie Sanders to Bill and Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama all have one thing in common: they are avid admirers of Nordic-style social democracy. The reason is simple. At first glance, Nordic countries seem to have everything liberals want to see in America: equal income distribution, good health, low levels of poverty, and thriving economies, all co-existing with big welfare states. By copying Nordic policies, many in the American left hope to transform America to a similar socialist "utopia." In Debunking Utopia , Swedish author Nima Sanandaji explains why this is all wishful thinking. Certainly, some aspects of Nordic welfare states, such as childcare provision, merit the admiration of liberals. But overall, it is a unique culture based on hard work, healthy diets, social cohesion and high levels of trust that have made Nordic countries successful. Sanandaji explains how the Nordic people adopted this culture of success in order to survive in the unforgiving Scandinavian climate. He systematically proves that the high levels of income equality, high lifespans and other signs of social success in the Nordics all predate the expansion of the welfare state. If anything, the Nordic countries reached their peak during the mid-twentieth century, when they had low taxes and small welfare states. Perhaps most astonishing are his findings that Nordic-Americans consistently outperform their cousins who live across the ocean. People of Nordic descent who live under the American capitalist system not only enjoy higher levels of income, but also a lower level of poverty than the citizens of the Nordic countries themselves. Sanandaji's previous writings on the roots of Nordic success have gained media attention around the world and been translated into many languages. Debunking Utopia , which expands on this work, should be read by all--liberals and conservatives alike--who follow the debate over the future of American welfare. As Sanandaji shows, there is much Americans can learn from both the successes and failures of Nordic-style social democracy.

LC Classification NumberHX318.5.S26 2016