> As for the argument that "American workers were paid a lot better than
> European ones", one could say the same for Sweden. High wages didn't
prevent
> a strong social democratic politics. (if Lenin is to be believed, labour
> aristocracy is precisely the basis for social democracy !)
IMO these are two very different situations with quite different causes. High wages are typical of "settler societies", where labour markets may take generations to stabilise; the almost incredible natural resources of the US were another contributing factor.
Whereas in Sweden high wages --- not to mention the "social wage" --- were largely a result of the superior organising by the unions. (Exemplified by the strong presence in Sweden of the so-called "Ghent system", under which unions distribute welfare payments and benefits.)
Both patterns, i.e. a settler society and excellent labour organisation, can be witnessed in Australian history. The results were the first labour/working class governments in the world. However -- as Lenin himself observed (Lenin, 1913, "In Australia") -- these were governments which did nothing to change the basic situation of their voters.
regards,
Grant.