A PERSPECTIVE ON THE FIELD

Denmark has achieved the improbable by making economic competitiveness compatible with the financial security of its citizens. Indeed, with its generous welfare state, steep income taxes, and activist labor unions, Denmark appears to violate many of the principles Americans are told promote economic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Perspectives in public affairs 2010-04, Vol.7, p.XIV
Main Author: Herbst, Christ
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Competition
Economic growth
Education
Education policy
Employment security
Globalization
Health care policy
Maternity & paternity leaves
Public opinion surveys
Tax rates
Taxes
Welfare
Workers
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Summary:Denmark has achieved the improbable by making economic competitiveness compatible with the financial security of its citizens. Indeed, with its generous welfare state, steep income taxes, and activist labor unions, Denmark appears to violate many of the principles Americans are told promote economic growth. Public opinion surveys show that Danes are willing to live with a smaller paycheck as long as the government commits to reducing some of the anxiety associated with freewheeling competition. Ask any Dane about globalization, and they will point to free health care and education as the best way to combat job insecurity. Growing dissatisfaction with the state of the economy coupled with rising health care, education, and energy costs indicate that flexibility alone will not suffice anymore. Americans want security. Denmark's success should be cause for reflection among those who believe that a system of worker protections is damaging to economic competitiveness.
ISSN:1948-1764
1948-1772