You wouldn't expect the Libertarian Cato Institute to be singing the praises of Democratic Socialist countries like Switzerland, Finland, or Denmark. But their new Human Freedom Index ranks a number of Democratic Socialist countries as being "freer" than the US is. Last night I was watching conservatives at the Daily Caller struggling to blame Obama for the US's poor ranking. They can't face the truth that their Conservative ideology is what's making the US less free than the leading Democratic Socialist countries.
The Human Freedom Index
1 Hong Kong
2 Switzerland
3 Finland
4 Denmark
5 New Zealand
6 Canada
7 Australia
8 Ireland
9 United Kingdom
10 Sweden
11 Norway
12 Austria
12 Germany
14 Iceland
14 Netherlands
16 Malta
17 Luxembourg
18 Chile
19 Mauritius
20 United States of America
21 Czech Republic
22 Estonia
22 Belgium
24 Taiwan
25 Portugal
26 Lithuania
27 Poland
28 Japan
29 Latvia
30 Slovakia
31 Korea, Republic of
32 Romania
33 France
34 Uruguay
34 Italy
36 Cyprus
37 Spain
38 Hungary
39 Costa Rica
40 Montenegro
41 Slovenia
41 Bulgaria
43 Singapore
44 Croatia
45 Macedonia
46 Greece
47 Peru
48 Georgia
49 Bahamas
49 Panama
51 Suriname
51 Israel
This index follows that latter tradition,
which in the past several hundred years has
shaped the modern, liberal world. Freedom
in our usage is a social concept that recognizes
the dignity of individuals and is defined
by the absence of coercive constraint. That
contrasts with a mechanistic concept whereby
anything that limits a person’s ability to do
what she wants—be it a natural, physical barrier
or another person who happens to be standing
in her way—is considered an infringement
on her freedom.) Freedom thus implies that
individuals have the right to lead their lives
as they wish as long as they respect the equal
rights of others.
What were their criteria?
Rule of Law
Security and Safety
Movement
Religion
Association, Assembly, and Civil Society
Expression
Relationships