What makes a country the best in the world?

[Eeezee]

Let's see if we can make some real criteria and then determine whether or not America really is the best. Some suggestions, add your own

Military power
Scientific Education
Literacy
Wealth gap (do the richest have all of the money and is everyone else living in rags?)
Healthcare
Average quality of living (a microwave in every kitchen and a car in every garage?)

 

[swtethan]

all you need to know is:



1. USA
2. USA
3. USA
4. USA
5. USA

 

[Kilgor]

I live in the US so there is no doubt it's the best.

 

[imported_Trippin315]

Arrogance of its inhabitants?

 

[jagec]

Climate, geology, biodiversity, and history mean a lot to me. If it's cold, flat, boring, and doesn't have any ancient ruins or anything, it's not for me!

 

[DarkKnight69]

Originally posted by: swtethan
all you need to know is:



1. USA
2. USA
3. USA
4. USA
5. USA

1. No doubt the USA, even though the display in Iraq is not impressive
2. No different then any other country, I might in fact argue that canada has some better medical sciences then the States
3. Literacy rate is no different in Canada to US, but we have languages
4. The fact you have such a huge wealth gap is not something to be proud of
5. Well, I would say you have one of the worst health care systems out there. Canada is above you by so far. I dont have to pay cash to go visit my doctor.
6. I would argue that ours is better, we dont have the same level of ghettos as the States does.

Now, I am not going to say we are better, but I am definatly going to say you are an ignorant asshat for instantly believeing the United States is better then everyone else.

 

[Eeezee]

Right, so WHY is the US the greatest country ever? The only thing we excel in that I can think of is an incredible military.

 

[bigredguy]

Who says we're number one, our own citizens? Well that's retarded, it's just like everyone from Texas thinking they live in the greatest state, and we all know that isn't true.

Americans think America is the greatest out of blind arrogant faith.

If it wasn't for our huge military presence around the world, America would be Canada's ugly step-sister.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: bigredguy
If it wasn't for our huge military presence around the world, America would be Canada's ugly step-sister.

That's a load of sh!t. America is good because of the foundations that it was built on. The only place left in the world that relative freedom can be enjoyed.

 

[imported_Trippin315]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Right, so WHY is the US the greatest country ever? The only thing we excel in that I can think of is an incredible military.

Because we dont give a sh1t.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: bigredguy
If it wasn't for our huge military presence around the world, America would be Canada's ugly step-sister.

That's a load of sh!t. America is good because of the foundations that it was built on. The only place left in the world that relative freedom can be enjoyed.

But even that's wrong. If that's what determines the greatest nation, then places like Iceland and Switzerland have us beat.

What makes America the best? What makes ANY NATION the best? Is freedom all you need?

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Trippin315

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Right, so WHY is the US the greatest country ever? The only thing we excel in that I can think of is an incredible military.

Because we dont give a sh1t.

Okay, go make a post about how America is the worst nation in the world and see how many people don't care. Go ahead, go do it right now and we'll see if your response is correct.

 

[oogabooga]

Might makes right - and the US can bring the might.

 

[saymyname]

I've lived in a few countries. The USA is the best for me. Healthcare (not costs), taxes, jobs, work ethic, education, etc are better here in my opinion. What we lack though is a rich culture and the ability to tear ourselves away from our work.

1. Military power: Obviously when you spend half a trillion a year....
2. Scientific Education: It's good in many other countries as well but most other countries don't have general education requirements which makes our education a bit better here and more well rounded.
3. Literacy: Me no speak english. I think most countries have a good enough literacy rate to make this a moot point.
4. Wealth gap (do the richest have all of the money and is everyone else living in rags?): This is a matter of personal opinion. I personally don't subscribe to the notion of socialism since I've seen it in action in Scandinavia and it tends to lead to less work ethic and less results. People just aren't motivated when the state gives them everything. Just look at the companies in Scandinavia and how they struggle. Just look at the unemployement in many countries and how many foriegn companies come in to take over (China, USA, etc)
5. Healthcare: Our healthcare costs in the USA are terrible. However, the quality of our healthcare is excellent. I fear going to the doctor in other countries and I feel bad for those people that have to wait 6 months for a hearing aid in a country with universal health care. I also think it's unfair to other countries since there's definitely a drain on their system with all the good doctors coming to the USA to make the big bucks.
6. Average quality of living (a microwave in every kitchen and a car in every garage?): Who cares about material goods? That's not what quality of life is about. This is where I'm torn between the USA and other countries. I think people live very good lives in other countries but my problem is that I'm not content living just like everyone else in a 3 bedroom flat with a small car and maybe a summer cottage. That's good enough for most people but if you're motivated and want to be better than the next guy the USA is the place to be. I wish I could be content since it must be nice having a 30 hour work week and still being able to live halfway decent.

 

[BD2003]

We're the best, because we'll declare a jihad on you if you don't agree.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Right, so WHY is the US the greatest country ever? The only thing we excel in that I can think of is an incredible military.

You're still assuming that the US IS the greatest country ever. That's an awfully bold proclamation. But let's go over what's been posted so far.

Military power

Oh yes, certainly the US. Then again, NK and China are also pretty high up in world rankings, so...

Scientific Education

Despite what people say about the quality of public schools, the influx of immigrants in university-level research, and so on, we're still pretty high up there. Not #1, but certainly high. Plus, a huge proportion of scientific research goes on in this country.

Literacy

Any industrialized nation will be very high here. It's not useful as a comparison once you get above 95% or so. More a way to weed out the poorer nations.

Wealth gap (do the richest have all of the money and is everyone else living in rags?)

Really depends on what you mean by "greatest", but the US is so-so on this...first world, but not nearly as egalitarian as Australia or Japan, for example.

Healthcare

Quality? Pretty near the top. Accessibility and affordability? Not quite.

Average quality of living (a microwave in every kitchen and a car in every garage?)

Very high, though the implicit materialism demonstrated in the parenthesis makes me wonder about the definition of "quality." Still, there is still a lot of money and a lot of land in the US, allowing most people to carve out their niche and decorate it as they wish.

Arrogance of its inhabitants?

In spades

To be fair, a lot of other countries can give us a run for our money here. They just tend to be less obvious about it. Britain almost has an institutionalized case of arrogance, but since they are subtle about it, people implicitly accept it without even knowing what they're doing. The British KNOW they're better than everyone else. Americans need to prove it, and as such are less likely to succeed.

Climate, geology, biodiversity, and history

Since it's such a large country, this is pretty easy to attain. There's something for everyone, from deserts to mountains to plains to lakes to oceans to islands, and while biodiversity certainly isn't as high as in the tropics, it's still pretty good for an industrialized nation. History isn't so high compared to Europe, Asia, or the Middle East, though.

Maybe we should add "suicide rate."

/edit: I spend the time to type all that up, and then saymyname beats me with basically the same stuff

 

[bigredguy]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: bigredguy
If it wasn't for our huge military presence around the world, America would be Canada's ugly step-sister.

That's a load of sh!t. America is good because of the foundations that it was built on. The only place left in the world that relative freedom can be enjoyed.

Wow, you really are brain washed. You really think America is the last piece of freedom on this planet?

 

[saymyname]

Arrogance of its inhabitants?

This is true of so many nations nowadays. I think it's almost easier to list the ones that aren't arrogant.

Climate, geology, biodiversity, and history

This is up to the individual and what they like. Biodiversity? Costa Rica would win. History? Iraq could win that one. Climate? Southern California would win hands down but there are many people that like cold weather. Geology? Japan...

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: oogabooga
Might makes right - and the US can bring the might.

Absolutely, if military power determines the greatness of your nation, then the US wins hands down.

But no one has actually answered my question. What makes a nation the best? Although I guess you did answer it, but I don't think Might is the only thing that makes a nation great. France had possibly the greatest military of the age under Napoleon, did that make France the greatest nation at the time? Russia had a large military and tons of weapons during the cold war, would that make them one of the greatest nations?

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Right, so WHY is the US the greatest country ever? The only thing we excel in that I can think of is an incredible military.

You're still assuming that the US IS the greatest country ever. That's an awfully bold proclamation. But let's go over what's been posted so far.

Military power

Oh yes, certainly the US. Then again, NK and China are also pretty high up in world rankings, so...

Scientific Education

Despite what people say about the quality of public schools, the influx of immigrants in university-level research, and so on, we're still pretty high up there. Not #1, but certainly high. Plus, a huge proportion of scientific research goes on in this country.

Literacy

Any industrialized nation will be very high here. It's not useful as a comparison once you get above 95% or so. More a way to weed out the poorer nations.

Wealth gap (do the richest have all of the money and is everyone else living in rags?)

Really depends on what you mean by "greatest", but the US is so-so on this...first world, but not nearly as egalitarian as Australia or Japan, for example.

Healthcare

Quality? Pretty near the top. Accessibility and affordability? Not quite.

Average quality of living (a microwave in every kitchen and a car in every garage?)

Very high, though the implicit materialism demonstrated in the parenthesis makes me wonder about the definition of "quality." Still, there is still a lot of money and a lot of land in the US, allowing most people to carve out their niche and decorate it as they wish.

Arrogance of its inhabitants?

In spades

To be fair, a lot of other countries can give us a run for our money here. They just tend to be less obvious about it. Britain almost has an institutionalized case of arrogance, but since they are subtle about it, people implicitly accept it without even knowing what they're doing. The British KNOW they're better than everyone else. Americans need to prove it, and as such are less likely to succeed.

Climate, geology, biodiversity, and history

Since it's such a large country, this is pretty easy to attain. There's something for everyone, from deserts to mountains to plains to lakes to oceans to islands, and while biodiversity certainly isn't as high as in the tropics, it's still pretty good for an industrialized nation. History isn't so high compared to Europe, Asia, or the Middle East, though.

Maybe we should add "suicide rate."

Actually, I only said that as a reply to the other guy's post, which only said "America r00lz lol." I don't think America is the greatest nation on earth, because I place education much higher than any of the other categories.

 

[b0mbrman]

What makes a country the best in the world?

For me, it's where I can go with nothing but a pair of pants and a desire to make it, and end up with the most...

o money
o social status
o happiness*

*Catchall for other stuff I'm probably forgetting

I'm pretty sure this is still the USA

 

[Stunt]

Best state/government = Ireland
Best climate = Monaco
Best women = Netherlands/Sweden
Best party = Spain
Best all around = US/Canada

For yours:
Military power - US
Scientific Education - US
Literacy - Australia
Wealth gap - Denmark
Healthcare - UK
Average quality of living - Norway

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: DarkKnight69

Originally posted by: swtethan
all you need to know is:



1. USA
2. USA
3. USA
4. USA
5. USA

1. No doubt the USA, even though the display in Iraq is not impressive
2. No different then any other country, I might in fact argue that canada has some better medical sciences then the States
3. Literacy rate is no different in Canada to US, but we have languages
4. The fact you have such a huge wealth gap is not something to be proud of
5. Well, I would say you have one of the worst health care systems out there. Canada is above you by so far. I dont have to pay cash to go visit my doctor.
6. I would argue that ours is better, we dont have the same level of ghettos as the States does.

Now, I am not going to say we are better, but I am definatly going to say you are an ignorant asshat for instantly believeing the United States is better then everyone else.

1. With the constraints (esp. the media microscope), I don't think any other country could do Iraq better
2. Not the USA
3. Probably not the USA
4. Not the USA but less important than the OP believes. The "best" country's goal should be equal opportunity, not results. If you decide you don't want to work as hard as me, fine. But you should also not cry if you don't make as much as I do in the end.
5. Best available? Or best government-subsidized (through tax dollars) health care?
6. Yup

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: bigredguy
If it wasn't for our huge military presence around the world, America would be Canada's ugly step-sister.

That's a load of sh!t. America is good because of the foundations that it was built on. The only place left in the world that relative freedom can be enjoyed.

What the...we're the only ones with freedom?

Is that because in Canada, they burn books and imprison political dissenters?

[Edit] Mind you, Canada does owe much of its "best"ness to its proximity to the US.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: bigredguy
If it wasn't for our huge military presence around the world, America would be Canada's ugly step-sister.

That's a load of sh!t. America is good because of the foundations that it was built on. The only place left in the world that relative freedom can be enjoyed.

But even that's wrong. If that's what determines the greatest nation, then places like Iceland and Switzerland have us beat.

What makes America the best? What makes ANY NATION the best? Is freedom all you need?

Freedom is definitely a good start :thumbsup: