I believe what happens in Finland can best be described by this title.
Our own economy will benefit greatly if such a trend accelerates.
Mark
From: "Jones Beene" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: I think pragmatism wins
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 09:52:31 -0700
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jed Rothwell"
In terms of economic competitiveness, even without the benefit of natural
resources, the message has been clear for years. Socialism rules.
I disagree. Finland's wealth comes from private corporations such as
Nokia.
That is not disagreement at all!
Socialism in the Scandinavian context depends heavily on private
corporations. These companies themselves become "little governments".
However, the comment about "pragmatism" is definitely the key word. That
and "accountability." Those corporations under socialism are less "private"
and far more accountable to both stockholders, and especially to workers.
Government plays only slightly more a direct role in economics there than
here. However, unlike their American counterparts, control of private
companies is generally shared more fully by workers (who must have a board
representative) and by active stockholder participation, plus to a much
greater extent, the wages and salaries of workers vis-a-vis top management
are closer and more regulated. That is another key - the perceived fairness
of compensation - huge CEO salaries which we see in the USA, and especially
where dividends are not being paid, would never be permitted there - very
pragmatic. Workers work harder when they see that they are treated fairly
in compensation.
The USA is slowly moving towards the Scandinavian model, because we are
(despite lip service to unbridled-capitalism) also very pragmatic people.
Forbes Magazine itself is the "mouthpiece of capitalism," no? Yet they tell
it like it is... and when pragmatic capitalists see a model that works
better, and it is clear that Scandinavian Socialism works better, then we
invariably move in that direction - all the while never letting-on that the
particular model came directly from socialism. Very pragmatic indeed.
Jones
