From Social State to Minimal State
Encyclopedia
From Social State to Minimal State is a book written by Anders Fogh Rasmussen
. Published in 1993, the future Danish
Prime Minister
laid out his classical liberal
views that Denmark should transition from a welfare state
into a low-tax
economy, and how he believed it should be done.
Rasmussen was a backbencher
, and the book formed a part of his strident criticism of the post-war
welfare state. In the book, Rasmussen said that the welfare state was 'developing a slave mentality in the people'. He argued that inequality
as the prime motivating force in society, arguing that its existence was not, by itself, a bad thing, but only poverty was.
Rasmussen continually makes the point in the book that Danish people pay the highest taxes in the world, which he would press again in the 2001 parliamentary election
that saw him become Prime Minister. However, he has otherwise repudiated many of the views expressed in the book: moving towards the orthodox centre-right
and adopting environmentalism
.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Anders Fogh Rasmussen is a Danish politician, and the 12th and current Secretary General of NATO. Rasmussen served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 27 November 2001 to 5 April 2009....
. Published in 1993, the future Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Denmark
The Prime Minister of Denmark is the head of government in Danish politics. The Prime Minister is traditionally the leader of a political coalition in the Folketing and presides over the cabinet....
laid out his classical liberal
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets....
views that Denmark should transition from a welfare state
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
into a low-tax
Tax
To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities...
economy, and how he believed it should be done.
Rasmussen was a backbencher
Backbencher
In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislator who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition...
, and the book formed a part of his strident criticism of the post-war
Post-war
A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...
welfare state. In the book, Rasmussen said that the welfare state was 'developing a slave mentality in the people'. He argued that inequality
Economic inequality
Economic inequality comprises all disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income. The term typically refers to inequality among individuals and groups within a society, but can also refer to inequality among countries. The issue of economic inequality is related to the ideas of...
as the prime motivating force in society, arguing that its existence was not, by itself, a bad thing, but only poverty was.
Rasmussen continually makes the point in the book that Danish people pay the highest taxes in the world, which he would press again in the 2001 parliamentary election
Danish parliamentary election, 2001
Parliamentary elections were held in Denmark on 20 November 2001. For the first time since the 1924 the Social Democrats did not win the most seats. Anders Fogh Rasmussen of the centre-right Venstre became Prime Minister in coalition with the Conservative People's Party, as the head of the first...
that saw him become Prime Minister. However, he has otherwise repudiated many of the views expressed in the book: moving towards the orthodox centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
and adopting environmentalism
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
.