What of it?

Mostly social and one of the most successful countries in the world. One needs only to see the NHS.

[quote]Mostly social[/quote] You wish. The UK's economic freedom index puts them at the 10th freest economy in the world -- 15.7 points ahead of the world average, and 9.5 points ahead of the regional average. The problem comes to government budget mismanagement. (http://www.heritage.org/index/country/unitedkingdom) [quote]one of the most successful countries in the world. One needs only to see the NHS.[/quote] One of the most successful [i]currently[/i], but it's experiencing a backslide. Current trends show the average percentage of income dedicated to "essentials" has risen from 19.9% to 27.3%. For food specifically, it's even worse. Cumulative inflation amounts to almost 30%. Education is failing, too. A survey done by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development found that standards for numeracy and literacy for graduating students were among the lowest in developed nations. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10417838/Harsh-truths-about-the-decline-of-Britain.html) Inflation is part of the problem, and that's a cycle that a high-spending government like the UK's doesn't want to get stuck in.

You're a special child.

[quote]You're a special child.[/quote] I'm glad we had this discussion.

When the UK declines it still is in better shape than most countries.

[quote]When the UK declines it still is in better shape than most countries.[/quote] Except "decline" isn't an on/off button. The UK isn't "declined," it's currently declining. We could say that it's in better shape than most countries [i]now[/i], but it'll be more interesting to see where it ends up.

Most countries are also declining. High production countries aren't, but they're all communist or dictatorships. Or... In the case of Nordic countries... Socialist.

[quote]Most countries are also declining.[/quote] Hong Kong, Singapore, and Switzerland all appear to be doing quite well. The common thread? Economic freedom. In fact, Switzerland specifically is defying the trend of decline in Europe. EU countries have all started shifting towards higher government spending and more government control, and they're experiencing a downturn. Switzerland is perhaps the most capitalist economy in the world at the moment, and they're weathering the storm. In fact, their economy has grown about three times faster than the EU average since 2008. (http://www.wsj.com/articles/after-brexit-can-the-u-k-become-more-like-switzerland-1466774144)

Hence why we left the EU. Singapore is a special case. Hong Kong is China and Switzerland is not only a haven for fraud it's also socialist.

[quote]Singapore is a special case.[/quote] You'll have to elaborate more on that. [quote]Hong Kong is China[/quote] Hong Kong is China's golden goose. It's allowed to operate mostly free of economic mandates handed down from the Chinese government. Its success is due to its economic freedom. China is willing to give it a pass as long as it keeps generating so much revenue. [quote]Switzerland is not only a haven for fraud it's also socialist.[/quote] You're telling me that the 4th freest economy on the globe is socialist? Wrong. Switzerland also has the freest economy in Europe, and ranks ahead of the UK in degrees of economic freedom ("Free" versus "Mostly Free"). Socialist Venezuela, on the other hand, ranks 176th in economic freedom. It makes a world of difference. (http://www.heritage.org/index/country/switzerland) (http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking)

Singapore is largely comprised of rich people and its sole existence seems to be international trade. Yes, Hong Kong is still communist. And yes, I'm saying that Switzerland is socialist... Got a problem?

Oh god the stereotypes are real

[quote]Yes, Hong Kong is still communist.[/quote] HA! A communist nation has THE FREEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD? No way! (http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking) [quote]And yes, I'm saying that Switzerland is socialist... Got a problem?[/quote] Yes, I do have a problem with that. It's patently false, and shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what socialism is.

Keep this in mind: the American, the British, the EU all have the wrong system. And a communist country being amazingly ahead seems not just logical, but correct. And it is, China has the strongest economy in the world. And as for Switzerland: ITS BLOODY SOCIALIST- DO YOU LIVE IN THE SAME REALITY YOU SPECIAL CHILD?

Now I'm starting to think that you aren't serious. [quote]Keep this in mind: the American, the British, the EU all have the wrong system.[/quote] Not necessarily, considering that they're mostly-capitalist. [quote]And a communist country being amazingly ahead seems not just logical, but correct. And it is, China has the strongest economy in the world.[/quote] You're terribly misinformed. China's GDP is 9.24 trillion USD, compared to the United States' 16.77 trillion. The two are hardly even comparable.

Capitalism exploits the working class... That's not the way. GDP is a measure of economy for lack of a better way... China has a better economy in terms of currency, government budgeting and how much people have.

[quote]Capitalism exploits the working class... That's not the way.[/quote] Oh, I'm exploited, am I? I can quit my job whenever I want. I own my labor, and can use it at my discretion. I also reap the rewards of voluntarily selling my labor to somebody who voluntarily compensates me for it. Nobody is exploited until the state brings guns to the party -- socialism. [quote]GDP is a measure of economy for lack of a better way... China has a better economy in terms of currency, government budgeting and how much people have.[/quote] Dude. How much people have? That's arguably the worst way to try and show that China is on top of the world. China's GDP per capita is just below 7000. Venezuela's is TWICE THAT! 14,000! The United States has a GDP per capita of over 50,000!

You know you're losing the argument when you say that Venezuela has a better economy than China... The best in the world. You also know you're losing when you reckon that capitalism favours the working class.

[quote]You know you're losing the argument when you say that Venezuela has a better economy than China...[/quote] No, I compared GDP per capita. The average Venezuelan statistically produces/owns more wealth than the average Chinese citizen. [quote]The best in the world.[/quote] I don't understand how you can keep saying this. It's demonstrably false. You're going to have to back that up somehow, because so far you've shown me nothing. [quote]You also know you're losing when you reckon that capitalism favours the working class.[/quote] Given that capitalist systems create the highest quality of life -- yeah, I'll posit that any day.

Backing it up... Fair point- even if I did have evidence you would call it 'invalid because it's communist', like if I mentioned that the money the government gives citizens because it has enough to you'd say it was wrong... Or how much play China has over the world market... And the highest quality of life in the world exists in socialist countries. Sorry, mate, might wanna check your facts.

[quote]Backing it up... Fair point- even if I did have evidence you would call it 'invalid because it's communist', like if I mentioned that the money the government gives citizens because it has enough to you'd say it was wrong...[/quote] Piss poor excuse, mate. Back up your claims and support your reasoning. You're arguing from ignorance. [quote]Or how much play China has over the world market...[/quote] Which pales in comparison to U.S. control, not to mention that this particular quality isn't an indicator of the quality of life in China. [quote]And the highest quality of life in the world exists in socialist countries. Sorry, mate, might wanna check your facts.[/quote] Again, this is demonstrably false. The country with the highest quality of life is Switzerland, with a score of 208.54. (http://www.numbeo.com/quality-of-life/rankings_by_country.jsp) Switzerland is a capitalist nation, and it's the 4th freest economy in the world. Socialist countries boast that they redistribute wealth (marked by high tax rates), but Switzerland is different. (http://www.businesspundit.com/12-countries-with-the-highest-lowest-tax-rates/8/) [quote]Perhaps unsurprisingly, the country with the lowest marginal tax rate on average income workers — Switzerland, at 20% — also boasts the world’s 7th highest GDP per capita at $43,196. The UK’s Times Online called attention to Switzerland’s “benign tax system” in a 2009 article about the nation’s “low tax high life” that invites people to escape 50% tax rates by moving there. Contrary to general assumptions, the Times explains, Switzerland has found a way to maintain a high standard of living alongside an extremely low personal income tax rate. BusinessWeek likewise reported in 2009 that Switzerland was “openly and legally urging multinationals to relocate” — and succeeding, while other nations buckled beneath staggering debt. Switzerland’s low tax rates have not stopped it from having some of the leading universities in the world, a highly educated work force and less than 3% unemployment as of 2009.[/quote] (http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=4281028) (http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking) Want examples of socialist countries? What about countries with dismally-low quality of life? Venezuela ranks 176th. Argentina ranks 169th. Cuba ranks 177th. The DRC ranks 163rd. Zimbabwe ranks 175th. Brazil ranks 122nd. CHINA RANKS 144th. Haiti ranks 150th. Greece ranks 138th. Economic freedom matters, and it shows. Countries at the top are places with high quality of life. Hong Kong. Switzerland. Australia. Canada. The U.S. Luxembourg. South Korea.

Sweden Norway Iceland Denmark What play? *mic drop

Sweden ranks 26th. Norway ranks 32nd. Iceland ranks 20th. Denmark ranks 12th. For comparison, South Korea (a capitalist nation) ranks 27th. The U.S. ranks 11th. Economic freedom matters.