In the top 20 you have all the Scandinavian countries including Norway which is so wealthy that they don’t know what to do with it (a mich higher gdp pr. capita than in the US or Brunei for example). This bulk of countries use almost the same national approach/model, share the same mind-sets and so forth. So it is not just Denmark, but basically Scandinavia.

I honestly think it a bi-product of less corrupt, safer countries over a longer period which has bred the Scandinavian mindset. Also, the security in knowing that one’s kids will be treated for, and one also does not have to work a crap job just to keep social security for one’s kids (that would not encourage one to find a job which one likes… I am glad I do not have to worry about that). I of course negotiate pension, fringe benefits and bonuses at work like everywhere else.

Yes, we have drugs like everywhere else. But generally much less. Wt respect to AIDS, we have half as many infected (in infected percentage of adults) as the US.

I think thee is something to be said for life in a community that is very much family-based, filled with very tall and good looking people, where you would seriously have to try to become less than lower middle class, and you never have to worry about being policeman to the world.

I’ve always had a great affection for the Danes and Denmark, who I’ve always found to be great friends of the U.S. However, comparing the U.S. to Denmark is like comparing New York City to Pierre, South Dakota — both great places, but places that by necessity operate differently. Also, Denmark is largely homogeneous, with the exception of a smattering of relatively new immigrants in the major cities. As a result, Denmark does not have to deal with the same level of racial and ethnic complexity that we have in this country.

Also, no one should deceive themselves into believing that these little countries are nirvana; they have no shortage of binge drinkers, alcoholics, drug addicts, AIDS patients, abusive spouses, etc. High-tax countries are able to sweep a greater amount of this stuff under the rug by putting a higher percentage of such individuals into treatment programs, but such programs only touch the tip of the iceberg despite massive government funding.

I am Danish and in short, an international background, education and network of friends. These includes several Americans. I have a couple of comments to your listings.

First of all, how long were you here? I too moan about taxes, like you do, everybody does, it is a national sport I think but when push comes to shove, we are proud of having the best social model in the world (the flexicurity model, see The Economist). That said, the present government is working on reducing the tax and the challenge is how to do that without damaging our model, because that tax IS high.

Second, sheep like behaviour? Well, a much greater part of the population takes interest in politics and vote, than the average American. See vote-percentages and number of people politically active in parties for reference.

Third, taking government laws for granted – Could it possibly be because we are rated as a less corrupt country and are less prone to industrial lobbying, pork, and so on? We do not need to be so paranoid, since we don’t build bridges that go nowhere, nor do we hunt for oil in natural reserves or have murder statistics that go off the chart

The government supplied flat – I am sorry, but that is incorrect. Students are given an amount of money if they pass key exams, like many countries give out today, but how you spend it is your own choice. The flats you refer to are paid for with this by the choice of the students.

Many students have a job on the side because the sum of money only allows for a minimum of living. I did my studies without government funding at all, because I wanted to earn more on the side than was allowed. But it was good to know that I have that to fall back upon, so I could complete my study, should I become sick, lose my apartment, whatever. That made me a happy, less worried student I think what you get wrong, is that we have some areas (flats) that give priority to students, single moms or soldiers, but they are not give-aways.

The government provide everything? What is provides is the same type of public services as elsewhere. It is, however, with the idea that all people are equal. This means that all have right to the same medical treatment. So, having more money, will not give you the right to surpass a poor man in the cue, or a better doctor. Or, having no money, still entitles you to the best possible treatment. There are private clinics, but to a very limited extent, so in praxis it holds true. I like the idea of people being equal. In comparison, many Americans’ social insurance is not sufficient or completely missing, because they can’t afford it. See The Economist for numerous references.

Bikes – yes, we have more bikes in towns than most countries (I reckon China have more lol . But, if you live in the suburbs or in the country-side, you have a car. I reckon that is much like the US? You go subway. So do we. We just bike more as well because we have small tracks for bikes on the roads, making biking easy and safer. But if I lived outside town I’d buy a car. I could go and buy one now, but driving to work is slower than the subway, so why bother?

It is true, I think, when lonelyplanet says that the highest form of praise one can be given after an evening (or a wet night out in town) is “det var hyggeligt”, meaning more like “that was fun/social/cozy/”. Personally, I think it comes from the fact that we have less to worry about.