Maj John Bell - the 10 most socialist countries in the world are China, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, New Zealand, and Belgium.

I can only think of one of those where I would not be comfortable.

Capt Gregory Prickett - I think you may have misinterpreted my comment. I am not making a qualitative judgment between more or less socialist nations, and where is more or less pleasant to live. I have not given a great deal of thought to your assertion about the 10 most socialist countries. However, I believe with the possible exception of China, the countries listed allow private ownership of the means of production, do not mandate the distribution goods and services according to community centralized planning, and regulate the terms of exchange.

I am stating that a government social welfare programs are not inherently socialist. In my opinion government social welfare programs are merely state mandated charity enforced by the police power of the state.

Example: Medicare is not a program where the means of production, distribution, and exchange are regulated by the community as a whole.
_Production: Doctors/practices are for the most part, privately held, not government, or employee held.
_Distribution of Goods/Services: Private practices use their own business plan to determine where they locate service locations and what services they will provide at those locations.
_Exchange: One may want to argue that the means of exchange are regulated (currency and price/rate). However, Medicare participants are free to exercise rational exchange, including seeking treatment outside of the Medicare system should they choose to do so, and have the means to do so. I do not think it would be forbidden for a doctor to exchange his/her services for a chicken pot pie, outside the Medicare exchange rate, if so inclined. (Tax filings would certainly be more interesting).

Capt Gregory Prickett You missed Cuba, Venezuela, Laos, Vietnam, Haiti and many of the former Eastern block countries that all collapsed with the Soviet Union, all of which were houses of cards. You also missed Germany and Italy from the 1940's, the most epic failures.

All of the countries you listed (except China) have larger social nets but are not socialist countries according to the traditional definition of socialism.

China would still be an agrarian society largely left behind had they not embraced some of the elements of modern economies and allowed development of industry with western countries to increase the flow of capital. Certainly not capitalism but understanding the value capitalism brings to them.

Cpl Jeff N. - OK, I get that you don't agree with the list. You'll need to the people that complied the list, not me. I'm just as happy with another list, of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, France, New Zealand, Venezuela, and Costa Rica.