> Some of my left-leaning friends (as well as some non-friends) think Nordic nations such as Sweden are shining examples of successful socialism. > They’re wrong. > Not only are they wrong, but those nations actually are case studies of how big welfare states cause damage to national prosperity (as well as case studies of how unwinding big government is a way to regain competitiveness). > Countries such as Sweden also teach a very important lesson about taxation. > John Gustavsson, a doctoral student in economics from Sweden, explains for the Daily Dispatch what’s happening in his country. > He starts out by noting that Sweden doesn’t disproportionately screw the rich. (There's much more at the link.)