Why social welfare states are scaling back

Social welfare policies of Scandinavian nations such as Sweden have been admired.

However, here's what an article in the Feb 1, 2016 issue of Fortune points out:

  • Scandinavia built wealth that its citizens enjoy today long before leftist ideas took hold
  • In fact, when Sweden's welfare state began to expand, economy noticeably slowed
  • Not only do the larger welfare states of Italy and France have less robust economies, Scandinavia is slowly returning to its free-market roots.

Will the US presidential candidates strike the right balance between welfare and economic growth?

Source: Fortune Feb 1, 2016