Estonia the most libertarain country

[farrar]

Estonia has been credited as the most libertarian country and guess what? Until the global recession starting in 2008, GDP was growing about 7-10% a year. They have a fair tax, which they lower by 1% just about every year. They have a balanced budget.

Aside from compulsory 8-11 month service between the ages of 18-26, a peg to the euro as oposed to gold, they have come very close to what we talk about alot here in the forums... or atleast alot closer than in the US. Considering they're recent upstart in early 1990's as a result of the soviet collapse, they are doing amazing well. The only real problem they have had, is they aren't immune to the global recession. They're largest exports go to european nations and the US, so that is no suprise.

Check out the satistic. They make me rather optomistic about my belief system. Its not perfect, but its not so shabby either. Haha:

Economics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Estonia
General: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia

 

[Brian Defferding]

It's ironic that it's so close to Finland, which is considered to be most of the far-left's utopian country (either that or Norway).

An important note, though: Most of Estonia's health care is financed through government.

 

[djdellisanti4]

I'm not sure if a fairtax is a symbol of libertarianism and personally would not consider it one. I feel Switzerland and hong kong are probably much more libertarian, but I could be wrong.

But Estonia doesn't sound like a bad place outside of the compulsory service.

 

[BetaMale]

Estonia is a country that is built directly from Milton Friedman's Free to Choose. Amazing story.

http://www.heartland.org/policybot/results/19289/Estonia_Creates_an_Economic_Miracle.html

They treat it almost as their constitution out there, its regarded with reverence

 

[WaltM]

really?

that explains why

they consider taking GITMO homeboys
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1235061121.44

they kicked out white supremacist website operator
http://www.onepeoplesproject.com/in...raig-cobb-is-coming-home&catid=29:antifa-news

but don't let either of those issues bother you, look at the BRIGHT SIDE

http://www.clubhollywood.ee/est/gallery/

 

[farrar]

I'm not sure if a fairtax is a symbol of libertarianism and personally would not consider it one. I feel Switzerland and hong kong are probably much more libertarian, but I could be wrong.

But Estonia doesn't sound like a bad place outside of the compulsory service.

Its not really the mark of libertarianism, but its alot closer to it considering it doesn't show favoritism to a certain class.

Most libertarians I know advocate that if there must be a tax, let it be through sales tax, and not some income tax that implies ownership of your life. So the fact the estonia is slowly ousting their income tax, and that the income tax they actually do have is atleast "fair", and not favoring certain groups or classes, to me makes it much more libertarian than most other tax policies in other countries. Even if it isn't quite where we would want it to be.

 

[Acala]

so . . .

How hard is it to immigrate to Estonia?

 

[BetaMale]

How hard is it to immigrate to Estonia?

Super question, let me know if you find out! I'm searching for my Galt's Gulch too

 

[farrar]

really?

that explains why

they consider taking GITMO homeboys
[url]http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1235061121.44[/URL]

they kicked out white supremacist website operator
[url]http://www.onepeoplesproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=219:the-great-estonian-experiment-fails-craig-cobb-is-coming-home&catid=29:antifa-news[/URL]

but don't let either of those issues bother you, look at the BRIGHT SIDE

[url]http://www.clubhollywood.ee/est/gallery/[/URL]

That is interesting I didn't know that. I was just looking into their economics mainly. Not that it is any excuse but do they have an assination list killing estonian citizens outside their country?

Its not THE libertarian country of the world,

Its just been nominated as having been the closest.

Its sad that this maybe the closest a nation has ever got, but I have a little hope for them for getting this far. Its interesting none the less.

 

[Brian Defferding]

I'm not sure if a fairtax is a symbol of libertarianism and personally would not consider it one. I feel Switzerland and hong kong are probably much more libertarian, but I could be wrong.

But Estonia doesn't sound like a bad place outside of the compulsory service.

The thing of it is there is no country that is 100% libertarian. In Hong Kong, 60 percent of the people lived in subsidized housing, mostly rented cheaply from the government, and some in Home Ownership Scheme flats, and as far as I know Hong Kong's health care system is almost completely controlled by government. Switzerland has compulsory health insurance.

But it could be safe to say places like Hong Kong, Estonia and Switzerland might be more free than the US with the expectation of the new regulations, TARP, subsidies and health care reform taking place in the next few years.

EDIT: Oh, and the 2012 tax raises too.

 

[james1906]

Estonia is a country that is built directly from Milton Friedman's Free to Choose. Amazing story.

http://www.heartland.org/policybot/results/19289/Estonia_Creates_an_Economic_Miracle.html

They treat it almost as their constitution out there, its regarded with reverence

It was this way, then the US and the EU started 'advising' them.

 

[Jeremy]

They are ranked #16 for economic freedom.

Detailed report: http://www.heritage.org/index/Country/Estonia

 

[michaelwise]

I'd move there if it wasn't surrounded by all that other crap.

 

[WaltM]

How hard is it to immigrate to Estonia?

just by following Craig Cobb's story, not too hard.

But you'll have to eventually find work.

After he went, he encouraged others to too.

But he was eventually kicked or forced out.

You'll need some money to show you're not a free loader, he didn't find anything to make his living after that.

 

[james1906]

Estonia is also going on the Euro next year.

 

[BetaMale]

Estonia is also going on the Euro next year.

Oh ouch! When was this decision made? I wonder if they can reneg on it.

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Pretty sure that Somaliland is the most libertarian area in the world right now. They've also seen explosion of growth, safety & security, and well...the most freedom and liberty of any peoples right now (That and the Xeer is based on restitution, not the eye for an eye everywhere else). Costa Rica is pretty good, except they have a large welfare net which Libertario Movimento is trying to get rid of. All in all I'd say Costa Rica is in the best position because unlike any other nation, they abolished their standing armies, have a holiday for it, and have it outlawed.

 

[farrar]

Oh ouch! When was this decision made? I wonder if they can reneg on it.

Yeah, they meant to in 2004, but due to inflation they decided to postpone it. I have a feeling they are going to postpone it again. Its only getting worse.

They are peged to the euro now though... hopefully they'll come to their senses like I hope we will. Then we can all pick up gold or silver. Probably not very realistic any time soon though.

 

[Vessol]

If I was to move anywhere, i'd probably go to New Zealand. No real reason except that they are in the middle of no where plus it is a beautiful nation.

 

[BetaMale]

If I was to move anywhere, i'd probably go to New Zealand. No real reason except that they are in the middle of no where plus it is a beautiful nation.

Good luck getting in. They have a really strict immigration policy. A good buddy of mine is from there and he told me that after a foreigner has been there too long, they'll put you on a boat and ship you away. Not sure if that was just rhetoric or not, but apparently getting citizenship is hard.