On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti The Jackpod: We coulda been Denmark
Jan 9, 2026
Jack Beatty, a seasoned news analyst known for his insightful historical and political perspectives, explores the high cost of U.S. defense spending at the expense of social programs. He argues we missed the chance for a Denmark-like welfare system, as military expenditures often sideline domestic improvements. Beatty critiques the massive defense budgets justified by Cold War fears, highlights the irony of supporting foreign welfare while Americans lack similar services, and outlines steps to prioritize public goods over military commitments.
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Denmark's Social Model Explained
- Denmark provides extensive public goods that citizens accept in exchange for high taxes.
- Jack Beatty argues those services explain Denmark's high happiness and social cohesion.
War Repeatedly Thwarted Reform
- Walter Lippmann and Jack Beatty link repeated wars to lost opportunities for domestic reform.
- Wars diverted resources and political will away from social programs like national health insurance.
Fear Fueled The Arms Buildup
- Cold War fear campaigns exaggerated foreign threats to mobilize public support.
- Beatty describes repeated false alarms (bomber gap, missile gap) that justified sustained arms spending.
