To Be, or Not to Be — Denmark? That, Apparently, Is the Question.

For those of you who did not watch the Democratic Party presidential debate last night, Senator Bernie Sanders says he wants America to be more like Denmark. In some ways, that is an excellent idea. Denmark, it turns out, has freer trade and better business environment than the United States. Its overall economic freedom is almost identical to that of the United States, as is its well-being index. But, don’t take my word for it. Look at the United Nations and World Bank data brought to you courtesy of HumanProgress.org. 

The one area where the United States might not want to copy Denmark is the size of government, which is a proxy measure of taxation and redistribution. 

 

1. Free trade

2. Business environment

3. Overall economic freedom

4. Human development index

5. Size of government