Is it a fine line between communism and egalitarianism?

Norway is rich in natural resources with a tiny population, less than 6 million while we are roughly 67 million people here.
Their government is made up of various political parties but mainly left leaning ones.Everyone is paid well there but pays high taxes.

Oreo

Tho it’s nice to see Communism get a mention, since I said the other day I hadn’t seen it expressed on this forum in the last two years 😄 Norway is run really as a Socialist country and the people there benefit from it.We are completely different here in the UK for many reasons where a truly Socialist way of running things wouldn’t work so well.

Why wouldn’t the Norway system work well here?

We are all people, many of care about others.

Tho it’s nice to see Communism get a mention, since I said the other day I hadn’t seen it expressed on this forum in the last two years 😄 Norway is run really as a Socialist country and the people there benefit from it.We are completely different here in the UK for many reasons where a truly Socialist way of running things wouldn’t work so well.

Yes - so?

Norways population have a real stake in their country and benefit from it enormously.

So, when the oil fields were opened up in the 80s it was noticeable how differently the two interested countries used the income.

Norway built up and continues to build a huge pot of sovereign wealth that helps both to stabilise the country’s economy in benefits for its population day in and day out with various projects., and to generate wealth for future generations. For example a recent one is to make car electric plug in available for every citizen. It i# by far the largest sovereign fund in the world, and we could have followed similar lines

But no

Thatcher completely wasted it on the huge numbers of unemployed, tax cuts for the better off and current government spending - an absolute travesty.

Brilliant answer JJ wish I lived there.

The detail of actual facts makes the question the DT poses rather bizarre really, trying to fit complex facts into huge and undefined labels

faced with what is clearly a very strong democracy following a particular strand of social democratic policies.

Sago

Ilovecheese

Norway cares about the people who live there and they care about the future of our planet. So of course the DT is going to criticise.

But Norway are supplying the rest of is with oil and gas!

Under the Labour government the UK will continue to import gas and oil from Norway whilst the UK’s oil and gas lays undisturbed under the North Sea.

All in the name of net zero, hypocritical?

Ilovecheese

Norway cares about the people who live there and they care about the future of our planet. So of course the DT is going to criticise.

But Norway are supplying the rest of is with oil and gas!

Norway operates under a constitutional monarchy characterized by a parliamentary system. The head of state is King Harald V, whose role is largely ceremonial, while executive authority is exercised by the Prime Minister and the cabinet. The political landscape is predominantly shaped by notable parties including the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet), the Conservative Party (Høyre), and the Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet), among others, reflecting a multi-party system.

The most recent parliamentary elections were held in September 2021, leading to the Labour Party forming a government under Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. This coalition government is primarily composed of left-leaning factions, indicating a socio-economic focus on welfare, environmental policies, and a nuanced approach to Norway's extensive oil revenues and their implications for sustainable development.

The functional structure of governance includes the Storting, which is Norway's national legislature, comprised of 169 representatives. The legislature is characterized by its dual role in shaping policies and overseeing the government's executive function. Norway’s governance is also marked by a commitment to transparency, human rights, and adherence to international accords, as it navigates its geopolitical context in relation to both the European Union and wider global issues.

Recent developments may also reflect responses to pressing matters such as climate change policies, social equity reforms, and economic challenges posed by global fluctuations, particularly in the energy sector, given Norway's significant hydropower and petroleum resources. This political environment informs both domestic policy orientations and Norway's international stances, including its engagement with the UN and OPEC.

When compared to the Uk system Norway operates under a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, characterized by a strong welfare state and a high degree of political stability. The Storting, Norway's legislative body, is unicameral and exercises significant authority in shaping policy, with a system of proportional representation that fosters multiparty dynamics. The Norwegian Prime Minister acts as the head of government, with a Cabinet drawn from the Storting, and is typically a leader of the majority party or coalition.

In contrast, the UK employs a parliamentary democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy as well, yet it has a bicameral system comprising the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons holds considerable power, particularly since the principles of first-past-the-post electoral system can lead to majorities that do not necessarily reflect the diverse political sentiments held within the populace.

The UK government is marked by a greater historical emphasis on party discipline and centralized leadership, often leading to a more pronounced adversarial political culture. Recent trends, including Brexit, have also introduced complexities into the UK's legislative processes, impacting its international relations and internal governance structures. Norway's consensus-driven approach, where cooperation among parties is often prioritized, contrasts sharply with this.

In terms of socio-economic policies, Norway’s model exemplifies a blend of capitalism with robust social policies, underscored by extensive wealth redistribution mechanisms funded by its substantial sovereign wealth fund derived from oil revenues. The UK's welfare state, while significant, has seen shifts towards austerity and privatization in recent decades, leading to debates over the adequacy and sustainability of its social safety nets.

Overall, while both nations exhibit parliamentary structures with monarchical elements, the distinct electoral systems, political cultures, and socio-economic paradigms highlight key differences in governance and policy outcomes.

Norway cares about the people who live there and they care about the future of our planet. So of course the DT is going to criticise.

Not sure that there is a great understanding of what a communist economy looks like.