How does the size of the U.S. government compare to the size of other...

[_Jumper_]

...industrialized nations' federal governments?

Exclude defense.

[Brian Sweat]

1. On a per capita basis, it is one of the smallest even with defense.

[DBoon]

2. Link?

Would be appreciated.

I remember reading somewhere that the total US tax rate is the second lowest in the industrialized world, after Japan. Wish I had a link for that.

[_Jumper_]

3. Is it the smallest without defense by any chance?

I want to know this so I can use this in an argument with conservatives about our so-called "Big Guvmit".

[Wellong]

4. false analogy

the amount of spending can not be used in an argument with a right winger on government alone. The reach, scope, power, influence, control, regulation, etc... are all components of "big government".

And using those, it is still probably smaller than most others.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Government Spending Is Approximately 21% Of GDP

This is among the lowest of any of the industrialized democracies...