The idea that welfare states or socialist-leaning systems “never worked” doesn’t survive even a quick look at history. Many of the most prosperous, stable, and socially mobile societies were built with strong public investment, labor rights, and universal welfare. * United States (1945–1975) — GI Bill, strong unions, high taxes on the rich → largest middle-class expansion ever * Sweden (1932–1976) — universal welfare, low inequality, sustained growth * United Kingdom (1945–1951) — NHS and welfare state laid the foundation for decades of stability * West Germany (1950s–60s) — social market economy, rapid reconstruction and growth * Finland (post-WWII) — education-first welfare model, high innovation and living standards