Mar 24 2009
Where to do Business?
Forbes has recently issued their report on the best countries to do business with in 2008. Denmark tops the list, followed by Ireland and Finland. Despite the disastrous economy, the United States was fourth on the list. It will be interesting to find out how exactly Forbes determines these rankings. The unemployment rate and GDP growth are important indicators, but they tend to say little about a countries social capital and standard of living.
Such reports are interpreted from the perspective of the shareholders and managers without much consideration towards workers and the essential services they rely on. On the other hand, the big winners, such as Denmark and Finland, may have demonstrated that Scandinavian politics can become beneficial for even the most pro-business advocates. Some countries will find it excruciating to look at next year ranks, even the United States, who will be dumbfounded when they realize that their behind Saudi Arabia.
