Comments on: The Possibility of Big and Free http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/ The Sweet Release of Reason Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:11:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: The “F” Word « http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21822 The “F” Word « Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:08:04 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21822 [...] say, Gulag Archipelago, and conclude that Steyn is either incredibly daft or intentionally callous. There are empirical metrics that convincingly demonstrate the United States is not demonstrably freer than many of the [...] [...] say, Gulag Archipelago, and conclude that Steyn is either incredibly daft or intentionally callous. There are empirical metrics that convincingly demonstrate the United States is not demonstrably freer than many of the [...]

]]> By: richcromwell http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21823 richcromwell Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:27:15 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21823 I read that article, but I can't remember where either. Seems it was specifically a response to the UN's ranking of Iceland as the best place to live. (Not sure that ranking is still valid given Iceland's current woes.)<br><br>The research also delved into Iceland's religious homogeneity, which was postulated to have a large effect on the country's social welfare practices. Icelanders' religious beliefs value a strong work ethic and some other things I can't remember which made it less likely that the citizenry would see complete reliance on the safety net as a career path. It's interesting to think about, especially against the backdrop of ideas proposed by those like Max Weber. I read that article, but I can't remember where either. Seems it was specifically a response to the UN's ranking of Iceland as the best place to live. (Not sure that ranking is still valid given Iceland's current woes.)

The research also delved into Iceland's religious homogeneity, which was postulated to have a large effect on the country's social welfare practices. Icelanders' religious beliefs value a strong work ethic and some other things I can't remember which made it less likely that the citizenry would see complete reliance on the safety net as a career path. It's interesting to think about, especially against the backdrop of ideas proposed by those like Max Weber.

]]> By: GR http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21825 GR Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:09:52 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21825 When you say federalism, you mean federalism, apparently.... And Boss Tweed must have lived after the New Deal, too...? Anecdote for anecdote is fine, but do the search and read the articles and see if you buy the findings. As for Illinois and Louisiana, I would suggest that their state governments (closer to the people, smaller, supposedly sovereign, etc.) are relatively more corrupt than the national government in DC. Is the gov't in DC more wasteful? Maybe. Less constitutionally justifiable? Probably. Pervasively corrupt? Not really. Just not doing its work as you have it do, I would wager. When you say federalism, you mean federalism, apparently…. And Boss Tweed must have lived after the New Deal, too…? Anecdote for anecdote is fine, but do the search and read the articles and see if you buy the findings. As for Illinois and Louisiana, I would suggest that their state governments (closer to the people, smaller, supposedly sovereign, etc.) are relatively more corrupt than the national government in DC. Is the gov't in DC more wasteful? Maybe. Less constitutionally justifiable? Probably. Pervasively corrupt? Not really. Just not doing its work as you have it do, I would wager.

]]> By: Mikk http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21824 Mikk Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:00:22 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21824 In Denmark more than 60% of youth between 13-17 are working regularly(!) after school. <br><br>At the end Denmark has high taxes, high unemployment benefits, strong unions, no minimum wage and lax labor market regulations - it is easy to fire and easy to hire. I read some time ago research (I think it was Spanish or French research), what asked is it possible to implement Danish system? The answer was "No". The reasoning was that they dont have that special Danish culture. If you loose job in Denmark, it is not "nice" to stay unemployed and exploit all these benefits. It may be rational, but just not "nice" culturally. So danes are much more ready to accept new jobs even if it is not so good or pays less than older one. Working is valued in Danish culture from very young age. In Denmark more than 60% of youth between 13-17 are working regularly(!) after school.

At the end Denmark has high taxes, high unemployment benefits, strong unions, no minimum wage and lax labor market regulations – it is easy to fire and easy to hire. I read some time ago research (I think it was Spanish or French research), what asked is it possible to implement Danish system? The answer was “No”. The reasoning was that they dont have that special Danish culture. If you loose job in Denmark, it is not “nice” to stay unemployed and exploit all these benefits. It may be rational, but just not “nice” culturally. So danes are much more ready to accept new jobs even if it is not so good or pays less than older one. Working is valued in Danish culture from very young age.

]]> By: Mikk http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21826 Mikk Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:25:15 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21826 Patric, Denmark has very peculiar mortgage market. No fancy staff, no leverage. Some may say, that highly regulated, but its basics are extremely simple. And it has been very stable. Really intresting system, I would say. You can read here:<br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_mortgage_market" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_mortgage_ma...</a> Patric, Denmark has very peculiar mortgage market. No fancy staff, no leverage. Some may say, that highly regulated, but its basics are extremely simple. And it has been very stable. Really intresting system, I would say. You can read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_mortgage_ma…

]]> By: richcromwell http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21821 richcromwell Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:27:15 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21821 I read that article, but I can't remember where either. Seems it was specifically a response to the UN's ranking of Iceland as the best place to live. (Not sure that ranking is still valid given Iceland's current woes.)<br><br>The research also delved into Iceland's religious homogeneity, which was postulated to have a large effect on the country's social welfare practices. Icelanders' religious beliefs value a strong work ethic and some other things I can't remember which made it less likely that the citizenry would see complete reliance on the safety net as a career path. It's interesting to think about, especially against the backdrop of ideas proposed by those like Max Weber. I read that article, but I can't remember where either. Seems it was specifically a response to the UN's ranking of Iceland as the best place to live. (Not sure that ranking is still valid given Iceland's current woes.)

The research also delved into Iceland's religious homogeneity, which was postulated to have a large effect on the country's social welfare practices. Icelanders' religious beliefs value a strong work ethic and some other things I can't remember which made it less likely that the citizenry would see complete reliance on the safety net as a career path. It's interesting to think about, especially against the backdrop of ideas proposed by those like Max Weber.

]]> By: GR http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21820 GR Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:09:52 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21820 When you say federalism, you mean federalism, apparently.... And Boss Tweed must have lived after the New Deal, too...? Anecdote for anecdote is fine, but do the search and read the articles and see if you buy the findings. As for Illinois and Louisiana, I would suggest that their state governments (closer to the people, smaller, supposedly sovereign, etc.) are relatively more corrupt than the national government in DC. Is the gov't in DC more wasteful? Maybe. Less constitutionally justifiable? Probably. Pervasively corrupt? Not really. Just not doing its work as you have it do, I would wager. When you say federalism, you mean federalism, apparently…. And Boss Tweed must have lived after the New Deal, too…? Anecdote for anecdote is fine, but do the search and read the articles and see if you buy the findings. As for Illinois and Louisiana, I would suggest that their state governments (closer to the people, smaller, supposedly sovereign, etc.) are relatively more corrupt than the national government in DC. Is the gov't in DC more wasteful? Maybe. Less constitutionally justifiable? Probably. Pervasively corrupt? Not really. Just not doing its work as you have it do, I would wager.

]]> By: The Final Word on Liber-al-tarianism | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21817 The Final Word on Liber-al-tarianism | The League of Ordinary Gentlemen Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:58:38 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21817 [...] here, and then look here and here.  Trust me - you’ll learn a lot; I know I did.   This paragraph from the first [...] [...] here, and then look here and here.  Trust me – you’ll learn a lot; I know I did.   This paragraph from the first [...]

]]> By: Mikk http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21819 Mikk Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:00:22 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21819 In Denmark more than 60% of youth between 13-17 are working regularly(!) after school. <br><br>At the end Denmark has high taxes, high unemployment benefits, strong unions, no minimum wage and lax labor market regulations - it is easy to fire and easy to hire. I read some time ago research (I think it was Spanish or French research), what asked is it possible to implement Danish system? The answer was "No". The reasoning was that they dont have that special Danish culture. If you loose job in Denmark, it is not "nice" to stay unemployed and exploit all these benefits. It may be rational, but just not "nice" culturally. So danes are much more ready to accept new jobs even if it is not so good or pays less than older one. Working is valued in Danish culture from very young age. In Denmark more than 60% of youth between 13-17 are working regularly(!) after school.

At the end Denmark has high taxes, high unemployment benefits, strong unions, no minimum wage and lax labor market regulations – it is easy to fire and easy to hire. I read some time ago research (I think it was Spanish or French research), what asked is it possible to implement Danish system? The answer was “No”. The reasoning was that they dont have that special Danish culture. If you loose job in Denmark, it is not “nice” to stay unemployed and exploit all these benefits. It may be rational, but just not “nice” culturally. So danes are much more ready to accept new jobs even if it is not so good or pays less than older one. Working is valued in Danish culture from very young age.

]]> By: Mikk http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/23/the-possibility-of-big-and-free/#comment-21818 Mikk Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:25:15 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2927#comment-21818 Patric, Denmark has very peculiar mortgage market. No fancy staff, no leverage. Some may say, that highly regulated, but its basics are extremely simple. And it has been very stable. Really intresting system, I would say. You can read here:<br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_mortgage_market" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_mortgage_ma...</a> Patric, Denmark has very peculiar mortgage market. No fancy staff, no leverage. Some may say, that highly regulated, but its basics are extremely simple. And it has been very stable. Really intresting system, I would say. You can read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_mortgage_ma…

]]>