Socialist countries today: Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Canada, China, New Zealand, and Belgium all doing well for themselves. But on the other hand most of the social-democratic Nordic nations have the highest wealth inequality in Europe as the top 10% owns 65-69% of the nations' wealth. Found this: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-socialist-scandinavia-has-some-of-the-highest-inequality-in-europe-2014-10 "Strong social security programs, good public pensions, free higher education or generous student loans, unemployment and health insurance can greatly reduce the need for personal financial assets. Public housing programs can do the same for real assets. This is one explanation for the high level of wealth inequality we identify in Denmark, Norway and Sweden: the top groups continue to accumulate for business and investment purposes, while the middle and lower classes have no pressing need for personal saving." Its nice to see with a well run government you don't have to focus all your energy on creating wealth, you can actual enjoy your life and its meaning.