Which country is better?

[Marokai Backbeat]

It depends on a great deal of things. Are the situations economically in both countries relatively stable? Do both countries do well with their healthcare system? Are there any major differences in the poverty rates? Such things do need to be established before I could make such a decision.

On the face of it, with none of that information on hand, I would opt for B, and agree with Beet in that Country B can always take it's greater wealth and redistribute it, assuming (again) it was willing or able to do so. We of course don't know this however.

Country A will have more fair income equality rates, but slower economic growth. Economic growth, however, (and I may put some people off by saying this) is not always desirable above other priorities. This is why I struggle with making the decision. Country B has better economic growth, but there is no guarantee that Country B takes care of it's citizens any better, or that the quality of life is any better.

Good economic numbers do not necessarily mean that the lives of the citizens are any better, and can sometimes mean the exact opposite. Look at the last Administration. The economy clearly grew in many areas of it's time in power, but the average family incomes dropped around 2,000 dollars over this time and debt shot through the roof. States like Texas have wildly booming economies and are very prosperous on paper, but poverty, healthcare, and education are all incredible problems for the state, due in part to a barebones safety net and healthcare system. While a state like Minnesota, a state with a slower pace of economic growth, maintains some of the best healthcare and education in the country.

If a country like Country A is able to have a stable society, one that takes care of it's people and maintains a decent state of healthcare and poverty, then there is nothing wrong with choosing the slower pace of economic growth. I choose stability and the general welfare above economic growth.

In the end, Country A, if we assume the situation is stable for it, will likely make better decisions that benefit all of the people, rather than those at the top of society, as Country B would be more inclined to do. For that reason, I vote Country A.