The pathological hate for even a simple mention of Thatcher prevalent in Britain is really quite amusing. When Thatcher took over in Britain, a big, sclerotic, hugely inefficient state was fait accompli. She slaughtered some holy cows and introduced significant reforms (which is all she's take to task for in the article). Was the alternative to these harsh reforms a land of milk and honey? The country was on the brink of bankruptcy (given ~30 years of deeply incompetent governance), something had to give.
The fait accompli in the Nordics is that of a state that never stops growing in size. In Denmark, the political debate, even on the most nutty right-wing fringe, is limited to discussing limiting the rate of growth. The previous liberal prime minister actively boasted the high rate of growth in the public sector. This is a reflection on the voting population: A large majority of voters have a direct financial dependency on the state through employment or by being a benefits recipient.
Not sure the there is a parallel in more than coincidence, but when Ed I Koch took over mayorship of New York City in the late 70s, the city was in financial ruin, on the verge of bankruptcy and the (north american) liberal (progressive) Koch also took deep cuts to quite a few sacred cows.
These kinds of actions were one of the alternatives given the macroeconomic conditions --The UK had the whole post-Empire implosion psyche to deal with as well.
the political debate, even on the most nutty right-wing fringe, is limited to discussing limiting the rate of growth. The previous liberal prime minister actively boasted the high rate of growth in the public sector. This is a reflection on the voting population: A large majority of voters have a direct financial dependency on the state through employment or by being a benefits recipient.
I had to check twice that you are referring to Denmark and not Greece. I guess the crucial difference is the amount of corruption and tax evasion.
The fait accompli in the Nordics is that of a state that never stops growing in size. In Denmark, the political debate, even on the most nutty right-wing fringe, is limited to discussing limiting the rate of growth. The previous liberal prime minister actively boasted the high rate of growth in the public sector. This is a reflection on the voting population: A large majority of voters have a direct financial dependency on the state through employment or by being a benefits recipient.