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Regarding the recent rhetoric about “socialism,” on these pages and elsewhere: Socialism is not a system to be avoided at all costs; on the contrary, it teams up with capitalism very well.

A case in point, the Scandinavian countries, said to be socialist countries, are truly a mix of capitalism and socialism.

For instance, in Finland, home of Nokia, private business ownership is the norm. What is publicly controlled, as in capitalist America, are roads, law enforcement, fire departments, education, public transportation and like services.

Also controlled by the state are services for the poor, elderly, and homeless; health and mental health care; etc. (You can use a private doctor and a private hospital but you still get reimbursed by the state.)

Further facts about Finland:

It’s the safest country (World Economic Forum, 2016).

It’s the best governed (Global Prosperity Index, Legatum Institute, 2016).

It ranks as the most stable (The Fund for Peace, 2016).

It ranks first in freedom of the press (World Press Freedom Index, 2016).

It is the greenest (Environmental Performance Index, 2016), the most socially progressive (Social Progress Index, 2016), the most literate (World’s Most Literate Nations, 2016).