05-02-2024, 11:17 AM
When people use "Nordic countries" as proof that high taxes / socialism is the answer to NZ's struggles, they generally overlook two extremely important factors: 1. Nordic countries are rich in natural resources (which they're happy to extract) and 2. they're (comparatively) extremely ethnically homogeneous.
Despite the repeated parroting over the past 20+ years of "our diversity is our strength", every single serious study on the matter proves the exact opposite. As a society gets more diverse, social trust, community and political engagement, the willingness of people to donate their time or money to community causes all suffers. The division and "tribalism" gets worse if resources get more scarce.
So, whereas overseas fans of the Nordic model like to suggest that they're all happy and prosperous because they have high taxes and generous social services, it is actually the other way around. I.e. They're happy to accept the high taxes and are willing to fund generous social services because they happy and prosperous (and feel a far stronger connection to the people that their high taxes are helping to support).
Despite the repeated parroting over the past 20+ years of "our diversity is our strength", every single serious study on the matter proves the exact opposite. As a society gets more diverse, social trust, community and political engagement, the willingness of people to donate their time or money to community causes all suffers. The division and "tribalism" gets worse if resources get more scarce.
So, whereas overseas fans of the Nordic model like to suggest that they're all happy and prosperous because they have high taxes and generous social services, it is actually the other way around. I.e. They're happy to accept the high taxes and are willing to fund generous social services because they happy and prosperous (and feel a far stronger connection to the people that their high taxes are helping to support).