@HeavenlyPossum @passenger "the goodness of states" is a phrase like "the goodness of people"—too broad to be meaningful. Under some circumstances many people are good. All people have the potential to behave badly.

the Nordic states exist and have endured for some time with a political economy—that includes the threat of worker militancy, thank goodness—that has vouchsafed a remarkable quality of life for a remarkably broad share of their populations. it's an existence proof, not a guarantee.