Not exactly. I would say that the differences in developed countries are more subtle (and subjective) than could be measured with population drift. One might be able to grade certain aspects, and there may still be major differences. But strictly speaking, voting by our feet would have us calculating:
If X% of the population moved from the US to the UK;
and if Y% of the population moved from the UK to the US;
and Y > X, then the US is “better” than the UK (during the time period in question).
I’d see that as far too simplistic an assessment. (Let’s plug in numbers for 1943 and see what we get. grins)
Of course one could argue that a country that is unable to deal with its problem of illegal immigration has serious security issues.
Which tangentially raises another potential question–whose perspective is used when judging “the best” country–the rich, the middle class (or mean income), or the poor? I’d say you’d have to simultaneously look at least at the middle and the low end of the scale (the rich are probably less of a concern–opulence is opulence–it’s hard to say that more or less opulence makes a country better or worse unless measured directly in contrast to the less wealthy people surrounding them). As has been pointed out, one country might be better at health care availability while another might be better at providing low-cost housing and jobs, and still another country might have better control of the violent crime problem.
Sure, certain extremes can be pretty obvious–given a choice between living in Tahiti, Columbia, or on the West Bank, I’m guessing the vast majority would choose Tahiti (and the exceptions would be those who feel emotional bonds to those particular lands for whatever reason). But the finer distinctions are far more difficult.
I would ask the audience: Which is better, ye who knows which countries are best, Luxembourg or Liechtenstein? No peeking at statistics! After all, if you are certain of your own country’s status in the world, you should be able to offer intelligent assessments of all the others in comparison to your own and each other.
I like North Carolina best out of all the states. It’s a beautiful place with friendly people and a rich history. My family is here. My family’s roots are here. I don’t want to live anywhere else. But I don’t go around bragging about how it’s better than Iowa or Vermont. That would be rude.
There are a lot of transplanted Northerners here, some of whom loudly boast about their former homes and make unfavorable comparisons. This never fails to irritate me. If you like it in New York so much, go back there.
I imagine it’s much the same on the international scene. A Brazilian, Angolan, or German doesn’t want to hear how great you think the U.S. is, just like I don’t want from native Californians how their state is superior.
Here in Finland, there’s a really old, well-respected infantry general called Adolf Ehrnrooth who is sort of the face of the war veteran community. He often gives interviews, especially around the Independence Day, and one of his oft-repeated phrases is “Finland is a good country; it is the best country for us Finns.”
I think it’s great to take pride in the nation to which you’re associated. I think this is also true of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, etc.
However, taking pride is different that claiming superiority over someone else. The former is a postive, empowering mentality, the latter is a negative, destructive one.
Taking to a different level, I can take pride in being from the Midwest (believe it or not) and bask in the (largely romaticised) simple hardworking values associated with my region, without looking down my nose at people from other regions who may have their own positve aspects: “I’m from the Midwest, but I do love that Southern Hospitality.”
A danger of “thinking your country is the best” is that it can lead to “my country can do no wrong” which NO COUNTRY can claim. It is as bad (if not worse) to blind yourself to your country’s failings as it is to blind yourself to your country’s achievements.
So, do take pride in your country’s achievements, but do not deny those of other countries. Personally, I love my country, the ideals it was built upon, and the opportunity it affords me. I also think it is not perfect and can be made an even better country.
BTW I have heard quite a lot of positive remarks about Carolina people… they have been described to me as very friendly americans. Which of course isn’t considered normal over here.
