Country Size Vs the Good Life! Fight!

[dv8nation]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2013/0108/1224328563655.html

A recent study has listed the best countries to born in as of right now.

1 Switzerland

2 Australia

3 Norway

4 Sweden

5 Denmark

6 Singapore

7 New Zealand

8 Netherlands

9 Canada

10

Comments

[abomvubuso]

I've been hearing population heterogeneity being the primary reason for a society "not doing as good as it ought to be".

[mahnmut]

Yeah, as if Australia, Canada or the Netherlands are examples of a homogeneous society, amirite? ;)

[sealwhiskers]

Such tiny countries, Australia and Canada...

[mutive]

Depends on whether you mean population or land area.

[ddstory]

If the US consists of 50 states with their own specifics and a relative sovereignty of legislation, then I don't see much of a reason why successful models cannot (or shouldn't) be ganked from smaller countries. I mean, most US states are comparable in size and population to most countries from the above list.

[sophia_sadek]

State sovereignty in the US is fairly limited. States with higher, more diverse populations, such as New York and California, tend to dominate in some areas and states with higher levels of ignorance, such as Texas and Florida, dominate in other areas.

[chron_job]

The thing is, they don't really have much of any sovereignty of legislation to speak of, and what little they do is shrinking. Things left to the states like business licensing are less important when all business is international, much less interstate. Heck, they can't even stand up to federal pressure when it comes to setting their own speed limits.

[ddstory]

And I thought fundamental issues like family, social policy, industry, and labor are approached in a myriad of nuanced ways that differ from state to state. I must've missed something.

[mahnmut]

Buncha evil soshuliztz, that's what those are! And they're doomed. They just don't know it yet. You just wait... for about 500 years, and you'll see!

[sophia_sadek]

Unfortunately, the life expectancy in the US does not extend that far.

[chantalzola]

I wouldn't exactly call Hong Kong a socialist country. And I don't think China would consider Hong Kong a country either. I'm a bit confused about Hong Kong being on this list, maybe I'm missing something?

[mahnmut]

Soshulizt, kapitalizt, country non-country... What matters is how they feel.

[htpcl]

The reasons are more complex than that. Historical, social, cultural, economic, geographical, geopolitical, etc.

[pastorlenny]

Quick! Name a great Swiss rock band!

[abomvubuso]

[htpcl]

A Norwegian "rock" band?

[abomvubuso]

And two Dutch ones.