# So what is the greatest nation in the world? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133 "2011-10-10T01:24:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/101 "2011-10-12T17:39:54Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > You’re desirable in so many ways. > > I’ll be a data point. I emigrated to Canada from the US, and I’m glad I did. Wish there was more surf, but that’s geoscience, not politics. Gak! …lol. I’m super jealous of you. I’m a USian who would enjoy little more than to emigrate to Canada. Unfortunately, I’m lacking a degree or in-demand skills. I mean, I’m sure there are a bunch of call centers, office work, and customer service jobs available in Canada, but I can’t really make the argument that I’m better suited for one of those than a current Canadian citizen. Once I get my degree in shark laser application, maybe that will change. 😛 For now, though, my only option is dating across the border until I go back to school. How YOU doin’? 😉 > [@Ogre](#): > > In all seriousness, I can’t believe what a pointless, useless, insupportable argument this is. Which would be why it’s in IMHO and not GQ. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/102 "2011-10-12T18:09:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by ModernPrimate View Post > > 1. Must have significant influence in the world. > 2. Must use its power and influence to bring positive changes to the world. > 3. Their actions must be clearly independant, not be potentially appeasing a different power. Coca Cola. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/103 "2011-10-12T18:30:07Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Gak! …lol. I’m super jealous of you. I’m a USian who would enjoy little more than to emigrate to Canada. Unfortunately, I’m lacking a degree or in-demand skills. I mean, I’m sure there are a bunch of call centers, office work, and customer service jobs available in Canada, but I can’t really make the argument that I’m better suited for one of those than a current Canadian citizen. Once I get my degree in shark laser application, maybe that will change. 😛 > > For now, though, my only option is dating across the border until I go back to school. How YOU doin’? 😉 > > Which would be why it’s in IMHO and not GQ. 😃 I had in demand skills to become a landed immigrant, and marrying a Canadian ( **Imp of the Perverse** ) helped with the citizenship. I will mention your name if I meet anyone in the laser shark industry. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/104 "2011-10-12T18:37:55Z")
America, fuck yeah! ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/105 "2011-10-12T19:35:00Z")
From the best nation - Switzerland, I salute the greatest - the US. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/106 "2011-10-12T19:43:25Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Wrong! Both last year, and this, I was swimming in Lake Huron in May, thank you very much!\ As the Tide commercial says, we’re used to cold water in Canada. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![hazynlazy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@hazynlazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazynlazy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/107 "2011-10-12T20:16:26Z")
Reading through this thread, I get the feeling people didn’t really read or follow the criteria set about by the OP. If they had, it seems that the US or the UK are the only logical answers. I get why people didn’t follow the OP though. That biased argument for Russia was ridiculous. No country that corrupt is bringing positive change. That being said, depending on your criteria for greatest nation, countries like New Zealand or Canada, or many of the Scandinavian countries are great choices. But as the OP is asking for country that has “significant influence” and “brings about positive change” would seemingly, to me, have to be either the US or UK depending on your feelings on US politics. Personally, I’d say the US best fit those criteria, even though I have many problems with US politics. People hate the US but I’d much much much rather have the US controlling world politics than a country like China, Russia, etc. How could you not? ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/108 "2011-10-13T03:40:36Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > You had 4 very good points, then you had to fuck it up with that last one. At least the missionaries were sent by the churches, not by the government, at least not directly. > Religion was our most shameful export. I can’t see how it is all bad even for an atheist-missionaries do a lot of social work-educating kids, digging wells and that sort of thing and end barbaric practices like cannibalism and racial hatred. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/109 "2011-10-13T03:58:25Z")
> [@hazynlazy](#): > > \ People hate the US but I’d much much much rather have the US controlling world politics than a country like China, Russia, etc. How could you not? False dichotomy. It isn’t just a choice between bad and worse. How about each country minds their own business, and leaves other countries alone? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/110 "2011-10-13T04:00:58Z")
Usa! Usa! Usa! ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Umbrella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Mister\_Umbrella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Umbrella)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/111 "2011-10-13T04:32:20Z")
Can’t say which is the greatest overall, but personally there is no other place I’d want to or feel comfortable living in other than the US. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/112 "2011-10-13T07:09:15Z")
In the pissing match over US and Canadian immigration statistics, I’d only add that every year many more Canadians move south of the border to the US than vice versa (more than twice as many in 2010, if I’m reading the tables correctly: [cite](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2010/permanent/10.asp) and [cite](http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/yearbook/2010/table2.xls) [warning - excel file]). Especially amazing when you count the huge size disparity - you’d think it would be exactly opposite, just to be in keeping with the population ratios. But it doesn’t matter because neither is the greatest country on earth - that title belongs to the United Kingdom. It’s Angophone (sorry to be linguocentric, but it’s a major benefit in this world); it’s a country of consequence politically, economically, culturally, and militarily; it’s got a functioning health care system and a decent work/life balance, but is also entrepreneurial and hard-working. It’s also very beautiful and interesting in parts, and is home to The Greatest City in the World. It’s also very humble about its accomplishments (am I really the first to nominate it in this thread…?). Yes, yes, it has its problems - but it’s doing better than most of its competitors. The _best_ country in the world might be Sweden or Denmark or some such place, but for “greatest” (as I understand it) the UK is hard to beat. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/113 "2011-10-13T07:30:40Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > Usa! Usa! Usa! What does Ooosa! Ooosa! Ooosa! mean? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/114 "2011-10-13T11:46:36Z")
> [@Namkcalb](#): > > What does Ooosa! Ooosa! Ooosa! mean? That he’s a Jar-Jar Binks fan. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/115 "2011-10-13T13:07:57Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > In the pissing match over US and Canadian immigration statistics, I’d only add that every year many more Canadians move south of the border to the US than vice versa (more than twice as many in 2010, if I’m reading the tables correctly: [cite](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2010/permanent/10.asp) and [cite](http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/yearbook/2010/table2.xls) [warning - excel file]). Especially amazing when you count the huge size disparity - you’d think it would be exactly opposite, just to be in keeping with the population ratios. > > … Well, lately the [trend](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/jobs/canada-new-magnet-for-us-job-hunters/article2199166/) seems to be shifting. > [@](#): > > In a reversal of historical flows, immigration lawyers report a surge of calls from Americans who want to move north. Statistics bear out their observations: A record number of Americans applied for temporary work visas last year, Immigration Canada statistics show, spurred largely by the contrasting health of the two countries’ labour markets. > [@](#): > > The U.S. has ranked first among homelands for temporary foreign workers in Canada since 2008. Last year, the number of American citizens applying for temporary work permits doubled to 4,024, from 1,974 applications in 2008. For decades the unemployment rate in the US has been lower. The snow shoe’s on the other foot now. > [@](#): > > The U.S. jobless rate is 9.1 per cent while Canada’s comparable rate – adjusted to U.S. concepts – is just 6.3 per cent, statistics released last week show. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/116 "2011-10-13T15:35:28Z")
Time to build a wall, keep out the…geez, we need a derogatory nickname here…Ooosas! ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/117 "2011-10-13T16:07:15Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Well, lately the [trend](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/jobs/canada-new-magnet-for-us-job-hunters/article2199166/) seems to be shifting. > > For decades the unemployment rate in the US has been lower. The snow shoe’s on the other foot now. Shifting, sure. But it’s got quite a ways to shift to achieve what, in theory, should be normal levels of cross-border exchange, much less be in Canada’s favor! Anyways, given how similar the two countries are I can only assume it’s about something simple like a desire for a better climate, rather than a serious commentary on something deeply flawed in Canada’s nature. Or maybe not - maybe there’s really something significantly different about the US that is drawing those Canadians in. Or maybe Americans are just homebodies who are unusually loathe to emigrate, and that accounts for the disparity. Still, it’s interesting - and strange. ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/118 "2011-10-13T18:06:18Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > But it doesn’t matter because neither is the greatest country on earth - that title belongs to the United Kingdom. It’s Angophone (sorry to be linguocentric, but it’s a major benefit in this world); it’s a country of consequence politically, economically, culturally, and militarily; it’s got a functioning health care system and a decent work/life balance, but is also entrepreneurial and hard-working. It’s also very beautiful and interesting in parts, and is home to The Greatest City in the World. The UK used to have a great importance worldwide, but today not nearly as much. So it might very well have been the greatest country in the world at some point (the 19th century, for example), but today I’m not convinced. And what is the importance of it being English-speaking? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/119 "2011-10-13T18:29:20Z")
[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43287918/ns/business-world\_business/t/us-doesnt-make-cut-happiest-nations-list/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43287918/ns/business-world_business/t/us-doesnt-make-cut-happiest-nations-list/) The US does not make the list of the top 10 countries when judged by the happiness of its citizens. So it depends on how you determine greatest. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133/120 "2011-10-13T19:13:47Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43287918/ns/business-world\_business/t/us-doesnt-make-cut-happiest-nations-list/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43287918/ns/business-world_business/t/us-doesnt-make-cut-happiest-nations-list/) Why is disposable income N/A in Israel, number 9? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-the-greatest-nation-in-the-world/599133.md?page=7)