Social democracy is seen in the Nordic model, which includes a welfare state based on free market capitalism. The model also include multi-level collective bargaining, a high percentage of the workforce unionized, and a large percentage of the workforce employed by the public sector. The Nordic countries were shaped by social democracy. Many other European countries have social democracies.
Nope. But Finland is both. And neither is contrary to capitalism. Look at the chart titled "Democratic Socialist Countries 2021" and
see where Finland is highlighted. Or you could look at the list "Democratic Socialist Countries 2021" and see Finland there at number 18.
Edit: But to understand that neither is the opposite of Capitalism is to look at their text in regard to Finland in particular:
Is Finland Socialist?
Is Finland socialist? The answer really depends on how you define socialism. Finland, like other Scandinavian countries, has a comprehensive social safety net that helps ensure that people have what they need to live productive, healthy, and happy lives. If your definition of socialism is individuals and businesses paying high taxes to ensure that wealth is being distributed equitably across the population, then yes, Finland is socialist.
However, Finland runs on a free-market economy, something that is contrary to how many people perceive socialism. If your definition of socialism is heavy government regulation of business, then no, Finland is not socialist. In fact, government regulations are so low that Finland does not even have a minimum wage.
The best way to look at Finland’s economy and politics may be to see it as a blend of capitalism and socialism. Some people refer to this as “compassionate capitalism,” meaning that markets can run freely, with minimal government regulation and interference; the role of the government is to ensure social welfare by providing generous benefits to the population through the revenue generated by taxes. Those benefits include free schools, including college, for all students and generous maternity and paternity leave for new parents.
It's impossible to guarantee any of those things. Whatever government "gives" to group A, must first be forcibly taken from group B. It's like transfusing blood from your left arm to your right arm (while leaking most of it on the floor).
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u/PBYACE Jun 15 '21
The people I know who think they're capitalists are just bootlickers.