Why are these top countries happier than the USA?

@Northwest Yes they are very democratic and have social support!

@Carazaa No, they are [b][i][u]SOCIALIST[/u][/i][/b] countries, to varying degrees.

@Northwest I disagree!

@Carazaa It does not change the FACTS.

@Northwest None of them are socialist. They are all capitalist social democratic mixed economies.

@ninalanyon You're splitting hairs, aren't you? What is socialism?

@Northwest No I am not splitting hairs. Socialist and social democratic states are quite different. Compare the definitions in an American dictionary:

- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism

- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20democracy. The counties in the list are described by meaning 2 on this page.

@Northwest Socialism is the nationalization of private industry. Communism expands that to nationalize private property as well.

@ninalanyon [quote]a political movement advocating a gradual and peaceful transition from capitalism to [b][i][u]socialism[/u][/i][/b] by democratic means[/quote]

The goal remains socialism. Replug in the definition of socialism and you get it. You're splitting hairs.

@LeopoldBloom I am going to repost the definition of Social Democracy:

[quote]a political movement advocating a gradual and peaceful transition from capitalism to [b][u][i]socialism[/i][/u][/b] by democratic means
[/quote]

It's the means that people may disagree about, not the end goal.

@Northwest not true you might misunderstand their meaning of socialism! Most businesses are still privately owned and are encouraged!

@Northwest
Their definition is to give social and financial support for their citizens, free healthcare, good pensions, financial support for all children, old, retired, students, disabled, and financial help to all who need it! And give freedom and support private business ownership! They did not close down private businesses during corona virus! They give support!

@Carazaa Here's the definition:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism

[quote]any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods[/quote]

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20democracy.

[quote]a political movement advocating a gradual and peaceful transition from capitalism to socialism by democratic means[/quote]

You want to redefine it, that's fine. It does not say anything about the government owning all means of production, and we know that's bound to fail, when it happens. All these countries have a hybrid system, of private / public ownership.

@Northwest that’s your definition!

@Northwest you want to not go to Webster but to the countries and understand their goal!

@Carazaa Yeah, been there, on dozens of occasions. I don't know how to converse with someone, who calls a dictionary definition "your definition"

@Northwest
Its just not their definition!

@Carazaa Rrrright.

@Northwest So let me explain! If someone says they are poor foreinstance, you need to ask them what that means, because it can mean something different than what Webster’s dictionary says!

@Carazaa Absolutely, rrright.

@Northwest 👍️