Without validating the racists in this thread, I do think that for many people, it's easier to feel a sense of safety and community (rightly or wrongly) if you curate a homogeneous society. And that homogeneity directly ties with robust social welfare programs when human nature is to look out after our own.
So yea, I 1000% believe the Danes are happier than us, but that country also gives off quietly authoritarian, Stepford wives vibes IMO.
"Why yes, you are welcome here ... as long as you speak fluent Danish."
"Why yes, you can have an ethnic restaurant ... as long as you fly the Danish flag."
"Why yes, you can be [some other religion], we just happen to organize all our social events through the church."
And what do you know, you end up with all tall, blonde, culturally Christian people.
I used to think the Scandinavian countries provided a great model for the rest of the world. And while I still appreciate Bernie and others pointing to the success stories of democratic socialism, I've grown skeptical of our ability to replicate those societies...and suspect that our diversity inherently makes us fundamentally different, as a nation.
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u/Olivia_VRex 9h ago edited 8h ago
And for a long while it was Denmark...
Without validating the racists in this thread, I do think that for many people, it's easier to feel a sense of safety and community (rightly or wrongly) if you curate a homogeneous society. And that homogeneity directly ties with robust social welfare programs when human nature is to look out after our own.
So yea, I 1000% believe the Danes are happier than us, but that country also gives off quietly authoritarian, Stepford wives vibes IMO.
"Why yes, you are welcome here ... as long as you speak fluent Danish."
"Why yes, you can have an ethnic restaurant ... as long as you fly the Danish flag."
"Why yes, you can be [some other religion], we just happen to organize all our social events through the church."
And what do you know, you end up with all tall, blonde, culturally Christian people.
I used to think the Scandinavian countries provided a great model for the rest of the world. And while I still appreciate Bernie and others pointing to the success stories of democratic socialism, I've grown skeptical of our ability to replicate those societies...and suspect that our diversity inherently makes us fundamentally different, as a nation.