It is easily forgotten that a firm is far more than just the sum of
its employees. Indeed, the
success of a company is the result of the
contributions of all of its assets. These assets, tangible and
intangible, consist of e.g. its existing stored information and experience, the efficiency of its organisation, its
connections with government and the local community, its established
processes, its IT systems, its intellectual property (including the brand),
its material resources (including inventory), its land and real estate,
and, of course, its human capital.
The question of liberty in the modern world is a sensitive one because the answer is taken for granted. If one asks people in the West whether they are “free”, an overwhelming majority would instinctively answer in the affirmative.
But being convinced that one is free, however this term is defined, is of little importance if not accompanied by a clear consciousness of, and a constant appreciation for that freedom.
Many
people living in the generous modern Welfare State do everything
they can to take advantage of the system; they try to reduce their tax bill and claim as many subsidies and benefits as possible.[1] The question is whether they should be blamed for doing so? In other words, is such behaviour morally acceptable?
In fact, such behaviour is generally considered immoral, which is somewhat paradoxical since it is so pervasive.
It may not have been true in the past, but today
there is a real reason to admire the Nordic welfare states.
Since the late 90s, after the banking crisis of 1991 in Sweden and
Finland and the recession of the early 90s, these welfare states have
been radically transformed. It is even possible to speak of a
“reinvention” of the welfare state.[1]
The Nordic
countries, and in particular Sweden, have shown a remarkable amount
of political will to carry out reforms whose aim has been to
ultimately preserve - not destroy - the welfare state.
The
Nordic welfare states were for decades considered role models; they
were supposedly the proof that a highly developed welfare state could coexist
successfully with an economically free society. Indeed, the Nordic
countries, especially Sweden and to some extent Denmark, were
recognized for pushing the welfare state further than other
countries, for having developed social-democratic “universal”
welfare states, and at the same time managing competitive economies
with high rates of growth.[1] Though there is some truth to these perceptions, they require some important amendments that might somewhat
tarnish this rosy view.
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