# What is wrong with "thinking your country is the best"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 9, 2003, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212 "2003-11-09T09:08:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/41 "2003-11-09T18:25:21Z")
I’ve always thought “best country” was just another empty, meaningless slogan that doesn’t bear any analysis. What does it actually mean; best at what, for whom, compared with what etc, etc. etc . . . put it alongside ‘war on drugs’, ‘war on terrorism’ as comfort food and, to an extent, brainwashing, for the hard of thinking. IMHO. One assumes whoever uses the term picks it up from their own media and/or fellow countrymen/women, and the US is big on slogans than anywhere else I’ve ever visited (though it’s interesting another ‘slogan’ country Singapore is also mentioned. Perhaps it might be as pertinent to ask, why are slogans necessary and how come they work in some countries ? ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/42 "2003-11-09T20:25:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Peanuthead \* > Can you name any other country in the world where they have to guard their borders to prevent people from **entering**? \*\* The majority of nations _don’t_ have to do that. You may be thinking of a few people jumping the wall at the height of the cold war… But really, since then few nations have had that problem. And there is nothing wrong with thinking your nation is the “best”, although it can cause problems (The first world war comes to mind…) Really, when you think about it, all you’re saying is “Hey, you! People on that side of an imaginary line! We’re better than you! Haha, look at me and my fellow people who happen to be on this side of this line. We do in fact rock. Yay.” I remember wasting hours doing that shit when I was 8 or so, making snow forts. Childish, really. ---
**Author:** ![commie\_sho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@commie\_sho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commie_sho)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/43 "2003-11-10T04:05:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > \*\*Nah, he was serious. Though drunk. \*\* Well, his inhabitions were more relaxed…so normally he’s not bragging about America being the best, but this time he was (due to alcohol), which suggests that he normally keeps that thought to himself. Like I said, I wasn’t defending drunken table declarations (though I still find it hilarious) I was defending the _thought_. ---
**Author:** ![pervert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@pervert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pervert)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/44 "2003-11-10T05:45:59Z")
I don’t know if anyone has bgrought this up, but I think it has to do with America’s lone super power status. American’s claiming that America is the best (and maybe by extension that American ways, beliefs, or customs are the best) when combined with the lone super power aspect gives rise to the possibility that Americans are willing to use said status to shove those ways, beliefs, or customs down people’s throats. Note, I’m not talking about a rational fear here. I’m not suggesting that very many people worry about being attacked. Just that it seems more rude for an American to boast than for an Englishman because of the super power thing. And I agree with other who have suggested that Americans tend to be quite ignorant about international affairs. So brags seem like so much fart gas in many cases. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/45 "2003-11-10T09:19:34Z")
It’s rude, it’s arrogant, and it blinds you to seeing the problems in your own back yard. If you’re truly the best, you don’t need to advertise – people will know. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/46 "2003-11-10T10:36:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pervert \* > **Just that it seems more rude for an American to boast than for an Englishman because of the super power thing.** I suppose that depends where you are. An Englishman bragging about his country being the best wouldn’t go down too well here in Ireland, either, and I suspect the Scots might also have something to say about it. ---
**Author:** ![Trygve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4af34b/32.png) [@Trygve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trygve)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/47 "2003-11-10T11:25:19Z")
Having traveled to some 50 countries while living in 3 of them, I don’t think any country is “best”. Some are nicer places to live than other for sure… The UAE is a nicer place to live than the US in my opinion, although most places in the US have a better climate than the UAE. In Prague, it was very nice to be able to live well and not need a car to get around. On the other hand, I think Reno, Nevada (US) is a better place to live than Bucharest for a variety of reasons. There is no perfect place. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/48 "2003-11-10T11:29:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ruadh \* > \*\*I suppose that depends where you are. An Englishman bragging about his country being the best wouldn’t go down too well here in Ireland, either, and I suspect the Scots might also have something to say about it. \*\* Nor Wales… To be honest, in most parts of society, it wouldn’t go down too well in England either! ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/49 "2003-11-10T19:26:33Z")
Believing your country is best just shows that the believer has little experience of other countries, or has some strange egotism, or some insecurity that they need to bolster against. It is just one of a huge set of quotes made by foolish people who cannot distinguish between preference and fact. “UK is my favorite country” is sensible, “UK is the best country” is not. **Tryrve** gives the view of someone who has traveled. ---
**Author:** ![dal\_timgar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@dal\_timgar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dal_timgar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/50 "2003-11-10T19:48:23Z")
People might question your objectivity? How many countries have you visited? What is your socioeconomic status in said country? Is it just childhood indoctrination? Australia is not the best country. It is the best continent. Dal Timgar ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/51 "2003-11-10T20:14:01Z")
Oh goody, I’ve got a perfect example of this on another forum I read now. An American has just described America as “the greatest country in the world ever” … right after saying that the reason it’s so great is because it gives more benefits than any other country in the world to its poor citizens. I’m sure the Scandinavians on the forum got a big kick out of that! ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/52 "2003-11-11T02:04:23Z")
(Warning… extremely obscure [reference](http://www.monologues.co.uk/Patriotic_Predjudise.htm) coming up, not meant to be taken seriously) Here’s what I have to say to all of you non-Americans: It’s not that you’re wicked Or naturally bad It’s knowing you’re foreign That makes you so mad ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/53 "2003-11-11T14:19:15Z")
Came across this while looking for something else entirely; More fluff to the mill, but some might like it: [Index of Living Conditions - 2002](http://www.2ontario.com/welcome/coca_801.asp) The United Nations ranked Canada third on its Human Development Index in 2002. Canada has established a reputation for outstanding living conditions, earning the UN’s top ranking for seven consecutive years, from 1994 to 2000. The country’s standard of living, health care system, educational attainment, housing, cultural and recreational facilities, level of public safety and tourist opportunities are all of an exceptionally high quality. Rank Country 1 Norway 2 Sweden 3 Canada 4 Belgium 5 Australia 6 U.S.A. 7 Iceland 8 Netherlands 9 Japan 10 Finland 11 Switzerland 12 France 13 U.K. 14 Denmark 15 Austria - reads like the Eurovision Song Contest writ large, to me - L’Irlande, nil points ? ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/54 "2003-11-11T14:40:02Z")
The “US is best” mentality reminds me of the rednecks in my hometown who go around with their flags hanging off the back of their pickup trucks and Toby Keith blaring from the stereo. It isn’t an attractive thought. I enjoy living in the US, but I would never say that we’re the best. I haven’t travelled enough to know that. Plus, I think different countries all have something to offer that may or may not be as good as what we have here. ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/55 "2003-11-11T16:58:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Noone Special \* > Actually, **Peanuthead** raises an excellent point. Most of the posters on this board live in countries that they could leave (economics allowing) at the drop of a hat. So, essentially, very nearly all of us here are voting for our own country with what counts most - **our feet!**. Hardly. Besides the economic factor (which is no small thing), there’s also such a thing as social inertia. The majority of people aren’t simply going abandon family, friends, and an established life for purely geographic or political preferences. Furthermore, for the most part in the West, government intrudes on a minimal portion of our lives–it demands taxes, sure, but usually asks us little else except a respect for the rights of others. Thus it’s difficult to see what political reason would reasonably drive one out of a relatively free and developed nation. Beyond a compilation of serious miscarriages of justice or a relatively small subset of issues vitally important to a certain minority, the majority will stay put. For most people, the trouble to make the move is more than the trouble of dealing with whatever annoys them. Moreover, even between many Western countries, one can’t simply change sides like an ad hoc football game. If you wanted to move between the US and UK, which are on quite friendly terms, neither country necessarily has to allow you to come in. (And from what I’ve read, getting a permanent visa in either of those countries is no easy process.) ---
**Author:** ![Xerxes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d2c977/32.png) [@Xerxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xerxes)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/56 "2003-11-12T12:22:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sirtonyh \* > \*\*Different countries do different things well, so which is best is a matter of what you think is important; > > UK is probably good at something, I just haven’t discovered it yet \*\* We’re really rather good at self-deprecation. Well, fairly good. ---
**Author:** ![curly\_chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@curly\_chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curly_chick)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/57 "2003-11-12T12:46:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > \*\*- reads like the Eurovision Song Contest writ large, to me - L’Irlande, nil points ? \*\* That’s a pretty interesting list and remarkable in that it isn’t just a list of the G8 countries in order. I find that surprising. **L-C** , I am sure there are many many reasons why Ireland doesn’t feature on that list. I am hoping that it is not in the education index, but as I am not an economist, maybe one could pop along and tell us how that works. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/58 "2003-11-12T12:50:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Xerxes \* > \*\*We’re really rather good at self-deprecation. Well, fairly good. \*\* In fact, we’re rubbish at it. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/59 "2003-11-12T13:57:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > **a friend of mine was admiring the Canadian Rockies. He said “they must be the most beautiful mountains in the world”.** The Canadian Rockies? The _Canadian_ Rockies??? Everybody knows that the greatest Rockies are all American: [Rocky](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075148/) (Philadelphia) [Rocky II](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079817/) (Philadelphia) [Rocky III](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084602/) (Philadelphia) [Rocky IV](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089927/) (Philadelphia) [Rocky V](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100507/) (Philadelphia) And tied for 6th place are: [Rocket J. Squirrel (aka “Rocky”)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054524/) and [Rocky Dennis](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089560/) ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212/60 "2003-11-12T14:31:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mrblue92 \* > **Hardly. Besides the economic factor (which is no small thing), there’s also such a thing as social inertia. The majority of people aren’t simply going abandon family, friends, and an established life for purely geographic or political preferences. Furthermore, for the most part in the West, government intrudes on a minimal portion of our lives–it demands taxes, sure, but usually asks us little else except a respect for the rights of others. Thus it’s difficult to see what political reason would reasonably drive one out of a relatively free and developed nation. Beyond a compilation of serious miscarriages of justice or a relatively small subset of issues vitally important to a certain minority, the majority will stay put. For most people, the trouble to make the move is more than the trouble of dealing with whatever annoys them.** In other words, we agree that there are no major differences in the overall “grade” we would award most “Western” countries. Not enough to merit too much agitation, anyway. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Moreover, even between many Western countries, one can’t simply change sides like an ad hoc football game. If you wanted to move between the US and UK, which are on quite friendly terms, neither country necessarily has to allow you to come in. (And from what I’ve read, getting a permanent visa in either of those countries is no easy process.) \*\* You have a point there. Then again, if the differences were meaningful, people would find ways of moving… and many people would risk living as illegal aliens in the “better” country (as witnessed daily at the Rio Grande, for example) Still boils down to “If you **really** don’t like it here, try someplace else” (if you don’t live in a country that restricts your travel. If you do, I think we both agree that it is **not** “best”) Dan Abarbanel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-thinking-your-country-is-the-best/212212.md?page=4)