General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: German unemployment lowest in 20 years [View all]ParkieDem
(494 posts)(well, in the past 20 or so years -- not the 30s or 40s, of course).
Germany, and to a slightly lesser extent the Nordic countries, have really struck what seems to be the "right balance" in a free-market system.
Now, some on the right argue that supply-side reforms are the key behind Germany's recent success - they point to a loosening of labor regulations and the like - but I don't think this is the real cause.
In Sweden, too, some right-wingers point to "conservative" reforms since its mild financial crisis, and I'll admit, some of these reforms have been good. But overall, the key to the success of Northern Europe is its respect for workers, reasonable regulation of the financial industry, and social model. They're doing it better than us, and a hell of a lot better than their neighbors to the South.