NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay Okay, so your probably thinking "This guy is a horriblely curious sp@mwhore who likes to create senseless threads"

And thats 100% true. So out of curiosity, which country of the world do you think is the greatest, past empires can be accepted

i.e. Holy Roman Empire, Prussia, Blah Blah Blah!

Personally me I prefer Japan.

Australia!!!!

The British Empire pretty much had it all so i'm going with that.
I know that technically it isn't a country but you did have The Holy Roman Empire listed in your examples...

USA! USA! USA! *Waves little flag around*

Prussia. Hate it and then you will see quick death. They defeated France very easily when it was considered the greatest power (always is). GB wished they were as good as it. They destroyed GB, France, Italy and alot of other countries in WW1 until USA finally decided it was on the allied side (They always were from breaking the laws of neutrality)

Next Ghengis kahn, if you don't know why I laugh at you

For worst I say Alexander the (not so) Great's, it fell apart after his humiliating defeat at India. Couldn't defeat the monsoons which is nothing more then rain, alot but still only water.

The British Empire pretty much had it all so i'm going with that.
I know that technically it isn't a country but you did have The Holy Roman Empire listed in your examples...

The HRE was an empire, loosely held together until 1648. It was at first Charlemange's empire, although his father Charles Martle is more neglected even though he stopped the turks at tours.

The U.S., of course. We're the smartest and the freest and the most economically powerful, and if you try to disagree with us, seeing as we also have the greatest military, we'll just blow your ass off the face of the Earth.

USA! USA! USA! *Waves little flag around*

Then I have a question for you, is it one countries or like the HRE after its "glory days", 50 bonded by one government (USA not HRE, that was many states)? State means a country, each state has its own laws, including sales tax or lack of it, but each follow federal laws.

Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The U.S., of course. We're the smartest and the freest and the most economically powerful, and if you try to disagree with us, seeing as we also have the greatest military, we'll just blow your ass off the face of the Earth.

Germany could take it any year it existed in a one on one battle. USA only attacks nonEuropean countries (Which are all weak except for a few, which are Isreal, Japan, Russia, and possibly Australia), or attacks in the end when it doesnt matter if they were there or not.

The japanese empire has crumbled, or were u thnking before?
US is falling apart internally, or were you talking of the good old days?
I have to say i'd favor china, it has the human numbers as well as the educated workers, is economy is on the rise yeah China's gonna be it.
P.S. Germany in the good old days?

The British Empire. Granted they were Imperialistic and took as much out of the lands they conquered as they could but they, for the most part, set up a superior system of government and civil service as well as, for the most part, building up the goodwill of their former dominions. They did not force their religion on the conquered people, though they did use 'divide and rule' at least it's better than conversion by swordpoint. Instead my father's country was conquered by the two absolute worst decrepit imperialistic nations in history.

The japanese empire has crumbled, or were u thnking before?
US is falling apart internally, or were you talking of the good old days?
I have to say i'd favor china, it has the human numbers as well as the educated workers, is economy is on the rise yeah China's gonna be it.

No, China's army is pathetic. Japan took China in every war they fought in. Japan is like 1/10 the size and have a lot less resources. China also isn't too good internally, and most farmers are poor. If the west doesn't feels nice enough to help it then it would never become powerful.

The Roman Empire.

i don't know about the British empire, most of what u'll hear about it is the Western view, colonialism had some nasty stuff in it. The White Man's Burden wasn't the brightest idea and they just screwed the Palestinians over.... Besides that i guess that yeah it was a good thing. Compared to many other empires, it was a good one.

the Japanese did win every war, but that was because its small population could mobilize and modernize quickly, granted no small feat but China is finally getting there.....

Anyone who answers this thread is obviously going to be biased for one reason or another. If it isn't there blind patriotism, then it may be their lack of knowledge of other countries that have existed that could be called the best.
Another thing is that "best" is kind of vague. A gun nut might think that Nazi Germany was the best, while a pacifist might think that Tibet is the best.
But since this is just opinion I guess it doesn't matter.
My, obviously biased, opion is that Canada is the best country ever. My one main argument for this is; has their ever been such an active country on the international stage that doesn't really have ANY enemies or countries that wish it harm other than Canada?
Plus it has all those other great things like relaxed downloading laws, universal health care, high GDP per capita and highest percentage of people connected to the internet. :)
But thats just me ...
I'm looking forward to seeing other people's responses.

Persian Empire of maybe the assiryain empire. Both last for a very long time. Go Xerxes!! :sniper: :sniper: :sniper:

Vedic India.

This gets back to the idea of good versus evil my secondary personality agrees with you but my primary can't......Some of us may post for blind patriotism but i am looking at things from the view of power/prosperity/and future status....
P.S. I'm american and i think China is gonna rule, so blind nationalism can't be it lol

Best Empire: Rome.

Roman culture is probably the singularly most important culture in Europe and possibly the world, certainly at least one. The Latin alphabet is used in the most languages and by the most people alive today, with minor variations. For hundreds upon hundreds of years after the Empire's collapse, Latin was still the language of learning and continued to live on.

The Pax Romana brought civilization to the farthest reaches of the Empire, including Britain. Britain would have barely been a shadow of its present self without the improvements of the Pax Romana or the Roman Empire itself. Roads stretched from Africa to Scotland, and from Lusitania to the Mesopotamian. And these are simply the Imperial road system built by the legionnaires.

And, although Rome did have some really screwed up leaders (Caligula), tyrants (Maximin, Diocletian and in my opinion Constantine), they did have some really great leaders that built the Roman empire and tried to sustain it against possible odds (Julian [The Apostate], Marcus Aurelius, Julius Caesar, Caesar Augustus, Alexander Severus etc..)


About Roman human rights: They were actually surpringly good, if the laws weren't strict and you had a good Emperor. Emperors like Julian the Apostate didn't massacre people for disagreeing with him, in fact Julian did his best to restore the freedom of religion within the Empire, that his predecessor Constatine had previously ruined. He came close to re-instating the Republic a few times, according to Gibbon.

Roman citizens were treated with clemency in punishments, and there is a case where St. Peter (I forget the name exactly, one of the saints) made the plea that he was a Roman citizen before he got flogged, as that would generally get a lighter beating.

if i knew shit about Persia and the assyrians i'd make a decent comment but for now i'll just say that didn't sound like nationalism :D
Fine, rome is a good choice though they weren't so big on human rights lol

New Zealand has to be a good example of a modern country with our isolation down here no one wants to do anything with us cause we so small except when the French want to bomb a anti-nuclear boat here. We also dont just give in to the demands of the bigger allies (USA on nuclear issues and invasion of Iraq). We have a good mix of cultures here as well as we are a country based on immigration and always have been for 1000 years and we have the some of the best indigenious animals here and its so beautiful.

100% Pure New Zealand

I agree. Japan.

New Zealand has to be a good example of a modern country with our isolation down here no one wants to do anything with us cause we so small except when the French want to bomb a anti-nuclear boat here. We also dont just give in to the demands of the bigger allies (USA on nuclear issues and invasion of Iraq). We have a good mix of cultures here as well as we are a country based on immigration and always have been for 1000 years and we have the some of the best indigenious animals here and its so beautiful.

100% Pure New Zealand

Unfortunately, New Zealand relies heavily on the external world......no one bombs it cause its not a significant force, and i hope the cultural mixing in there worked better than it did in the US; we f*cked up

Then I have a question for you, is it one countries or like the HRE after its "glory days", 50 bonded by one government (USA not HRE, that was many states)? State means a country, each state has its own laws, including sales tax or lack of it, but each follow federal laws.
Well, the HRE was simply a collection of Principalities, with no federal government at all. In the US, the Federal government has a LOT of authority. Plus, most people have far more loyalty to the President than the governor.

I agree. Japan.
As much as i love the country that i lived part of my youth in, i have to say that.....soon Japan will be a ghost town its population growth is.....lets call it extreme population decay....The Japanese population is shrinking extremely quickly and soon will no longer be of any significance...

Germany could take it any year it existed in a one on one battle. USA only attacks nonEuropean countries (Which are all weak except for a few, which are Isreal, Japan, Russia, and possibly Australia), or attacks in the end when it doesnt matter if they were there or not.

Pfft, bullshit, we'd rape it. We could take out Germany's entire governmental base with a group of Navy SEALs, let alone with the entirety of our forces plus our nukes.

Best Empire: Rome.

Roman culture is probably the singularly most important culture in Europe and possibly the world, certainly at least one. The Latin alphabet is used in the most languages and by the most people alive today, with minor variations. For hundreds upon hundreds of years after the Empire's collapse, Latin was still the language of learning and continued to live on.

The Pax Romana brought civilization to the farthest reaches of the Empire, including Britain. Britain would have barely been a shadow of its present self without the improvements of the Pax Romana or the Roman Empire itself. Roads stretched from Africa to Scotland, and from Lusitania to the Mesopotamian. And these are simply the Imperial road system built by the legionnaires.

And, although Rome did have some really screwed up leaders (Caligula), tyrants (Maximin, Diocletian and in my opinion Constantine), they did have some really great leaders that built the Roman empire and tried to sustain it against possible odds (Julian [The Apostate], Marcus Aurelius, Julius Caesar, Caesar Augustus, Alexander Severus etc..)


About Roman human rights: They were actually surpringly good, if the laws weren't strict and you had a good Emperor. Emperors like Julian the Apostate didn't massacre people for disagreeing with him, in fact Julian did his best to restore the freedom of religion within the Empire, that his predecessor Constatine had previously ruined. He came close to re-instating the Republic a few times, according to Gibbon.

Roman citizens were treated with clemency in punishments, and there is a case where St. Peter (I forget the name exactly, one of the saints) made the plea that he was a Roman citizen before he got flogged, as that would generally get a lighter beating.

It was St Paul. He was born in Tarsus w/c was a town much favored by the Empire and was a Roman citizen by birth. While the 'natives' had rights, they could also get in deep trouble with their own judiciary and Rome would pretty much let them manage their own affairs but - like America today - if a ROMAN citizen was in trouble, they would bail him out and send out the Auxillia to protect him.

For all the bad rap that Rome has gotten from Pontius Pilate to Nero to Diocletian, it was Roman roads that facilitated the spread of Christianity, Roman Peace that protected it from barbarian threats and Roman justice that ensured at least a trial by law and protection for its greatest missionary to the gentiles.

It was St Paul. He was born in Tarsus w/c was a town much favored by the Empire and was a Roman citizen by birth. While the 'natives' had rights, they could also get in deep trouble with their own judiciary and Rome would pretty much let them manage their own affairs but - like America today - if a ROMAN citizen was in trouble, they would bail him out and send out the Auxillia to protect him.

For all the bad rap that Rome has gotten from Pontius Pilate to Nero to Diocletian, it was Roman roads that facilitated the spread of Christianity, Roman Peace that protected it from barbarian threats and Roman justice that ensured at least a trial by law and protection for its greatest missionary to the gentiles.

St. Paul, that was him. Sorry about that.

That is also true about the Pax Romana. Because of the security of the Empire during that period when Christianity was still growing, it was allowed to grow and thrive and spread it's message. By the fall of Rome, I believe, most of the German barbarians were Christians, as well as a few Eastern states (I know Armenia is one, was the Sassanid Empire Christian or Polytheist, though?)

Didn't someone add up different indicators such as life expectancy, wealth, education, equality etc. and conclude that Norway was the best country in the world? Of course, what you think is the best country in the world is a matter of taste. If good weather is important to you, then you might not think Norway is so great. Indeed some people think that Kenya pisses on Norway. (Kenya must have a very powerful bladder to piss that far.)

Anyone who answers this thread is obviously going to be biased for one reason or another. If it isn't there blind patriotism, then it may be their lack of knowledge of other countries that have existed that could be called the best.
Another thing is that "best" is kind of vague. A gun nut might think that Nazi Germany was the best, while a pacifist might think that Tibet is the best.
But since this is just opinion I guess it doesn't matter.
My, obviously biased, opion is that Canada is the best country ever. My one main argument for this is; has their ever been such an active country on the international stage that doesn't really have ANY enemies or countries that wish it harm other than Canada?
Plus it has all those other great things like relaxed downloading laws, universal health care, high GDP per capita and highest percentage of people connected to the internet. :)

Relaxed downloading laws, okay. High percentage of internet users, okay. High GDP per capita, no. United States GDP per capita is about $40,100, whereas Canada's is only about $31,500. They wouldn't even rank in the top half of the European Nations, which is pretty bad. Universal healthcare sucks, too. When you put doctors on a primarily governmental budget, they simply don't have the same motivation to be great as they do if they get paid on an individual basis. More Canadians have access to healthcare than in the U.S., sure, but if you can afford healthcare in the U.S., or if you aren't too damn lazy to get a job that will pay for your healthcare, then any intelligent person takes an American over a canuck doctor, any day. Also, I think there's an old saying or a quote or something that goes along the lines of, "If you haven't pissed someone off, you haven't done anything remarkable." So not pissing anyone off is not necessarily something to be proud of. Besides, the United States is way more internationally involved than Canada is, so of course we have more of a possibility of pissing people off. For instance, the United States gives out about seven billion dollars in economic aid every year, and that's just the government - it excludes private groups. Canada gives two billion.

I agree. Japan.
Quit saying Japan. Japan is the United States little puppet bitch. The U.S. wrote Japan's current constitution, and massively contributes to their economy via private companies, tourists, etc. The United States is Japan.

For instance, the United States gives out about seven billion dollars in economic aid every year, and that's just the government - it excludes private groups. Canada gives two billion.

...and how much more is the income of the United States compared to Canada?

Vatican City, it's very clean, virtually no crime, no traffic problems, can walk everywhera, you don't have to worry about elections and stuff except every once in a very long while, and people wear funny hats.

I'm not even going to think about my own country of the U.S., because I'm too close to it to make any accurate judgements. Currently, the countries I have the most respect for are Canada and Sweden. I also like Tajikistan. No, not the country, the name.

Histrorically, China has the most success.

Indeed some people think that Kenya pisses on Norway. (Kenya must have a very powerful bladder to piss that far.)
High Five. Now.

No, China's army is pathetic. Japan took China in every war they fought in. Japan is like 1/10 the size and have a lot less resources. China also isn't too good internally, and most farmers are poor. If the west doesn't feels nice enough to help it then it would never become powerful.

I think a lot of people grossly underestimate China. To say that it is in any way dependent on the West tossing it table scraps is monumentally arrogant and frankly absurd. It's one of the fastest developing nations in the world and - as a civilisation - was debating philosophy and medicine while the Europeans were still sitting in caves scratching their arses. Credit to Genghis Khan for sacking their capital and bringing them to their knees, but they got right back up again.

To give my personal opinion on the subject, there's a strong case to be made for the Roman Empire in terms of influence on the course of modern history, but I have some major issues with that particular allegiance. Like the 'having sex with small boys and animals' thing, for example.

Speaking as a British person, the British Empire was a travesty - we ran around the world invading countries that seemed like easy targets and shot everyone. We did some good stuff, but we did things in Iraq that Saddam would have been paled at, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

My personal facourite 'nation' was the vikings. An honour-based, warrior culture who stood or fell on their own strengths and who brought culture and innovation to every corner of the world. Brought a lot of death and burning too, but hey - at least they did it with style.

Quit saying Japan. Japan is the United States little puppet bitch. The U.S. wrote Japan's current constitution, and massively contributes to their economy via private companies, tourists, etc. The United States is Japan.

I thought tourists went from Japan to the U.S. more than the other way around? And it wasn't so long ago that U.S. presidents used to go to Japan and beg them not to make cars so well. Japan also funds a huge chunk of the U.S. deficit. The quality of puppet bitchiness is diffuse and both countries inhabit a grey area of the continum. And I've been to both places and noted subtle differences between both. For example, the penis festival. In Japan it occurs far from the capital.

Right now, I would said Monaco.

If only i could afford it :(

Chicago, although not yet fully independent, will become the greatest country when it seceeds from the United States. If the south could just barely lose in their quest for independence, then northerners could prevail easily. And with support from Canada and a bold invasion of Texas by the Mexicans, the United States will crumble and Chicago will lead the world!

The U.S., of course. We're the smartest and the freest and the most economically powerful, and if you try to disagree with us, seeing as we also have the greatest military, we'll just blow your ass off the face of the Earth.


How are we the most free?? I can't marry who I want as a gay. We have a Patriot Act which restritcs freedoms. We aren't the most economically powerful as India and China are rising to the top this century. I love this country no doubt! We have a lot of freedom...but to say the most powerful economically and freest is wrong. Military wise..ya we have 352352345525 nukes and spend tons and tons and tons of money on the military.

Unfortunately, New Zealand relies heavily on the external world......no one bombs it cause its not a significant force, and i hope the cultural mixing in there worked better than it did in the US; we f*cked up


granted Anser were no major player on the stage. but hey when you bastards(rest of world, not just America) are all nuked to death we will be quite literally the only country left in the world buhahahahaha. the all will bow down to the Might of new Zealand :p


:) :) no grief intended. :p up and coming power could be russia again. i mean that. potentially they could get they act together and exploit all their mineral resources that no other country could exploit. and they could say @#$@$ you to America. canada could also be powerful as they got immense minerals too. im not too sure if they would be suspectible to even greater american influence or not though.

Best Empire- the British Empire. just simply because you wonder how the Poms held it all together. with all the great losses (in terms of Stupity) yet they still won??, American war of idependenc(ok they lost that and they should of too,),Crimean war, Zulu war, Gallipoli e.t.c. and there habit of wearing conspicious red uniforms into battle into deserts, jungle. e.t.c. you would have thought all the british colonies would have gone the way of America ages ago??

The mind boggles. :p
ah thats my two cents :)

a lot of people say Japan... they have a freaking massive suicide rate. i'm not sure i can say that's the best place to live. Pax Romana was a great time but i wonder how it compared to Pax Mongolia? the Mongolian Empire spanned almost all of Asia, stretched into Russia and its borders even reached Vienna. Whole regions within the empire experienced peace and prosperity almost immediately after being conquered. So, since it spanned a far greater area and influenced the lives of far more people i'm going to have to go with the Mongolian Empire.

Luxembourg possesses the highest GDP per capita in the world.

So I have to go with Luxembourg guys. Plus, it looks kinda pretty.

MONTANA

I got my reasons and don't tell me it ain't a country, I know.

a lot of people say Japan... they have a freaking massive suicide rate. i'm not sure i can say that's the best place to live. Pax Romana was a great time but i wonder how it compared to Pax Mongolia? the Mongolian Empire spanned almost all of Asia, stretched into Russia and its borders even reached Vienna. Whole regions within the empire experienced peace and prosperity almost immediately after being conquered. So, since it spanned a far greater area and influenced the lives of far more people i'm going to have to go with the Mongolian Empire.

Pax Mongolia? The Mongol Empire basically collapsed after the death of Genghis Khan, and the empire was split between his sons.

The Mongol Empire wasn't around long enough to actually form a peace that could stand up or even compare to the Roman peace.

Rome. All you Euro bitches owe them your ass. :p

Rome. All you Euro bitches owe them your ass. :p

Amen, brother!

old school prussia man... i wish germany had won ww1 (meaning the US never entered.. i mean i have to side with my own country!)... people said they were barbaric and stuff... but thats just the allied propoganda... when did taking other peoples territory and not using "self-determination" become a bad thing? i mean... self-determination didn't really get important until AFTER ww1.. so yeah.... and 16th-17th century ottoman empire rocked hardcore... currently, it's obviously the US and israel (i think israel could give us a run for our money actually) and germany is actually still beyond powerful... germany and israel could own us. sadly... i guess the glory days of america are gone. they only lasted like 60 years. wow.

Then I have a question for you, is it one countries or like the HRE after its "glory days", 50 bonded by one government (USA not HRE, that was many states)? State means a country, each state has its own laws, including sales tax or lack of it, but each follow federal laws.

It used to be a federation, much like the modern EU. Gradually the central government became stronger and stronger....now so many things are legislated at the federal level that the states just have a bit of regional flavor rather than being truly independent as they once were.

Then I have a question for you, is it one countries or like the HRE after its "glory days", 50 bonded by one government (USA not HRE, that was many states)? State means a country, each state has its own laws, including sales tax or lack of it, but each follow federal laws.

The 50 states are supposed to be independent entities who make their own laws and create their own taxation etc. Unfortunately, since the days of FDR the Federal Government has steadily usurped that power through federal legislation, bribery and a Supreme Court that gave itself dominion over all. As it is now, the federal government is all that really matters, however the states still maintain the right to fleece the people, (Under the condition it doesn't interfere with federal fleecing) and if they have a mind to they can lock you up for most anything they like without recourse, right or wrong. (A state cannot be sued for malice so legalized racketeering is the rule)

:headbang: YO MAMA :upyours: :mp5: :p :fluffle:

Everyone has there opions and even though I, myself am from the United States I do not think it is the "best" country in the world but only to me it is but technicly there is no best country.

Japan is overrated, yes they have a high buying power and many people here could never afford a house in Tokyo. But what is high income of you have to spend all of it in a mini apartment.

Brazil

Beaches, Birds, Bikinis (almost), Sun, Samba, Cachaça, Churrasco!

No earthquakes, volcanos, tidal waves or huuricanes.

Perfect. (Come visit us on a holiday, you'll love it.)

Two way tie between Australia and Canada. Can't decide which, right off.

The United States.

And not because of any flag-waving or jingoistic nonsense.

The US was the first country established on principle. All prior countries were carved by a king's ambition or through tribal territorial disputes. The United States was founded with an idea.

The idea was justice. The US was the first country to truly allow for the existence of the individual. It is a country born out of a conflict not for power, but for the sovereignty of its own people; it is the slave that broke its own shackle.

The government was based upon the noble idea of freedom; NOT democracy, but constitutionalism. That is true freedom. It is not a tyranny-by-majority, but a country of balance in which the minority's rights are inalienable and independent of the majority. Never was a fairer, more just, never was a better system devised.

But yet, today, we've lost sight of all that. Things need to change (and no, it's not Bush who is moving us closer to fascism. The decline began long, long ago, with Theodore Roosevelt, and it was hastened by Wilson and the second Roosevelt). If something is not done, then the US will cease to exist as it does, and worse, did. The collectivism, the kind of reverse-imperialism, the internationalism and altruism and religiosity and punditry and panderers, and the media, too, are ruining this country.

People no longer think in terms of liberty as they did when this country was born, but in terms of; "Who can get me the most money?" "How can I get a bigger piece of the pie?" "Who will help give [minority group] a 'chance'?"

It is well-documented that when it gets to this point, where politicians are elected not because of their principles, but because they promise the most groups the most amount of money, things start to slide downhill, the panderers, the charlatans, the crooks gain power and give birth to tyrants. In this way, fascism or socialism will be born, and once either of those begin to define the country, it starts to slip towards despotism. Why? Because these systems tend to bloat the size of the state, and the more power vested in the state, the less is vested in the people.

We see this today; take, for instance, the proposal by John McCain to regulate bloggers. The state begins to think in terms of how best to protect the state, and not in terms of freedom, as it was intended.

No great free country has lasted more than 300 years because of this reason.

But I digress.

The point is, the concept of the US is the best, and for that reason, I believe the US to be the greatest of the world's countries. Military, international reputation, none of that matters at all. It is the IDEAS that matter.

Now, I’m sure most of you will disagree, because of something this country has done recently, and you’re certainly entitled to your opinions. But keep in mind the ideas that gave rise to this country, and demand them of your own country as well.

1836-1845
Republic of Texas---still the best!

Russia. By poets, for poets. ^^

Rome. All you Euro bitches owe them your ass. :p

Greece. All you Roman bitches owe them your ass. Besides they invented theatre, philosophy and the drunken orgy.

It used to be a federation, much like the modern EU. Gradually the central government became stronger and stronger....now so many things are legislated at the federal level that the states just have a bit of regional flavor rather than being truly independent as they once were.

I have to disagree in the comparison to the EU. There are some very distinct differences that make a huge difference. The 50 states for the most part were never established independent nations with histories of 1000 years or more. By my way of thinking that makes the two completely different in that the EU could reasonably be seen as just another take over attempt by the Germans and French with a slightly different method. Even Texas was not a country for more than a few days before it was unconstitutionally asimilated (with consent). That makes things much easier.

How are we the most free?? I can't marry who I want as a gay. We have a Patriot Act which restritcs freedoms. We aren't the most economically powerful as India and China are rising to the top this century. I love this country no doubt! We have a lot of freedom...but to say the most powerful economically and freest is wrong. Military wise..ya we have 352352345525 nukes and spend tons and tons and tons of money on the military.
"We" are the most free in general, IMO. Just because of lack in one aspect (I can't shoot people for no reason, omfg I'm not free!1) stops this from being "the land of opportunity."

.It is well-documented that when it gets to this point, where politicians are elected not because of their principles, but because they promise the most groups the most amount of money, things start to slide downhill, the panderers, the charlatans, the crooks gain power and give birth to tyrants. In this way, fascism or socialism will be born, and once either of those begin to define the country, it starts to slip towards despotism.
I agree with your views on the decline of the US if the current status quo does not change, but on the above point, I must respectfully disagree. But there is nothing really wrong with Socialism as a form of government. After all, both my beloved Canada and Australia are run on socialist systems, and do not both countries enjoy as high a standard of living as the US, if not in some cases higher? There is no such thing as a perfect government, but it is a neccesary evil, and though I can see many great points in anarchy, I would not trust most people to responsibly run such a system as I envision it. If more people perhaps were like you and me, maybe.

Emperors like Julian the Apostate didn't massacre people for disagreeing with him, in fact Julian did his best to restore the freedom of religion within the Empire, that his predecessor Constatine had previously ruined. He came close to re-instating the Republic a few times, according to Gibbon.


It was ruined before Constantine, as Christianity was punishable by death. Constantine just changed it from pagan-only to Christian-only.

THE OTTOMANS!!!!

the only reason they aint still here and still a very large empire is becasue of all those countries declaring independence (Greece, Hersevognua or however you spell it, former Yugoslavia, albania). i mean 15 against one??? plus all the allies of europe when the world finally decided that invasions were "wrong" (hmm seemed that Britain took that side as soon as they got their ***es handed to em when they lost 80% of their empire)

oh yeah...the ottomans did get wrecked by ANZAC in WWI...but theyre still a great empire

Mexico!

any independent south pacific nation does it for me on culture and weather alone.

IE Tuvalu and Hawai'i (before USA)

Singapore is quite grand I hear.

The British Empire. Granted they were Imperialistic and took as much out of the lands they conquered as they could but they, for the most part, set up a superior system of government and civil service as well as, for the most part, building up the goodwill of their former dominions. They did not force their religion on the conquered people, though they did use 'divide and rule' at least it's better than conversion by swordpoint. Instead my father's country was conquered by the two absolute worst decrepit imperialistic nations in history.


God Save the Queen!

I agree with your views on the decline of the US if the current status quo does not change, but on the above point, I must respectfully disagree. But there is nothing really wrong with Socialism as a form of government. After all, both my beloved Canada and Australia are run on socialist systems, and do not both countries enjoy as high a standard of living as the US, if not in some cases higher? There is no such thing as a perfect government, but it is a neccesary evil, and though I can see many great points in anarchy, I would not trust most people to responsibly run such a system as I envision it. If more people perhaps were like you and me, maybe.

I most vehemently disagree.

Socialism, like fascism, shifts the balance of power too close to the state. It is not a matter of living standards, but as I said, a matter of liberty. Sure, you can adopt a strictly progressive government, you can legalize gay marriage, etc., but when the state has the amount of power required to run a socialist government, it is already too powerful if your goal is the preservation of liberty.

Socialism also creates an environment in which one group of people may become dependent upon another group of people for their financial existence, and this creates resentment in both directions, and that is the basis for class warfare. Once class warfare begins, we see politicians getting elected by pandering to one or the other class, and this creates a situation in which liberties may be curbed on behalf of either class. This is especially evident in graduated tax systems, which tends to be pretty widely accepted in both socialist and fascist governments.

And finally, socialism requires a strong central government to be effective, and we all know the more concentrated power is, the greater potential for corruption and despotism. The same goes for fascism, and that's what we saw in Germany in the 30's and what we're seeing here in the US today, though it's not quite as pronounced as it was with the Nazis. The further the government is from the people, the more it seeks its own preservation, the more it seeks its own growth, and the more it seeks growth and preservation, the less freedom is allotted to individuals.

For the record, I'm not an anarchist, though I agree that it has its valid points. I'm a constitutional republican.

Thanks for being polite. Usually, when I peddle my spiels, they're met with verbal tomatoes or daggers. Tough crowds. :)

Great! A historical pissing-contest!

My chosen country/empire/group of states with a loose cultural or political connection is the greatest because everything they've done/do/will do is per definition the best way to do things! It therefore follows logically that if you disagree, it must be because you're wrong!


How did I do? Do I get to join the fascist lounge now?

Brilliant analysis. -_-'

Can't we have a friendly discussion? Can't we express our opinions without your mockery?

Brazil
No earthquakes, volcanos, tidal waves or huuricanes.

What!? And what do you call a samba dancing brazileira if not an earthquake with a hurricane? eh? EH?

I know Armenia is one, was the Sassanid Empire Christian or Polytheist, though?)

Zoroastrianism was the religion most prevalent through the various Persian and Parthian empires, particularly the Arsacids, so I would assume the same went during the time of the Sassanids.


As for the topic, I'd have to go with the Roman Republic/Empire from the Punic wars until the 3rd century crises, particularly the dictatorship of Sulla and the reign of Trajan.

For instance, the United States gives out about seven billion dollars in economic aid every year, and that's just the government - it excludes private groups. Canada gives two billion.

I think that handing out 28% of the aid is acceptable, when you consider that Canada's pop. is 11% of America's, and the Canada's GDP is a mere 8% when compared to America.


Compare 32,805,041 citizens to 295,734,134.
Compare $1.023 trillion (GDP) to $11.75 trillion (GDP)

:)

The United Fucking States of America.

where at least I know I am free.

Australia.

Under the wattle proud I stand
a can of VB in my hand
Australia!!
Australia!! You bloody ripper!!

Texas was the best country ever!

L O U I S I A N A :p


(and Wagadu, Axum, Nubia, etc.)

Not to be biased or anything, but as a citizen of America-Canada-Mexico, as well as the UN Delegate of Fortress America (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_region/region=fortress_america), I believe that America is the greatest nation that has graced this earth. To paraphrase our own World Factbook Entry, America is a mainstay of freedom and self-determination that welcomes all peoples in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. So if you fit in this category, Fortress America-- err, I mean America is the place for you.

Being an Australian I'm going to get a good hard slap if I don't say Australia. Although, just between you and me, The British Empire has to be the best by far.

British Empire! Even though I'm in America.

Relaxed downloading laws, okay. High percentage of internet users, okay. High GDP per capita, no. United States GDP per capita is about $40,100, whereas Canada's is only about $31,500. They wouldn't even rank in the top half of the European Nations, which is pretty bad. Universal healthcare sucks, too. When you put doctors on a primarily governmental budget, they simply don't have the same motivation to be great as they do if they get paid on an individual basis. More Canadians have access to healthcare than in the U.S., sure, but if you can afford healthcare in the U.S., or if you aren't too damn lazy to get a job that will pay for your healthcare, then any intelligent person takes an American over a canuck doctor, any day.

Simply untrue. America's Health Care is fairly low, depending on who yo ask it can be in the low 20's to mid 30's on the list of countries with the best health care. NOBODY puts us anywhere near the top ten, though. Oh, and we're about Numero Uno for cost.

Basically, we pay more money for worse healthcare.

It's kinda the opposite of what is "supposed" to happen.

For instance, the United States gives out about seven billion dollars in economic aid every year, and that's just the government - it excludes private groups.

Which is ridiculously low, compared to the US GDP.


Canada gives two billion.

(numbers from google)

United States
GDP: $ 11,750,000,000,000

Canada
GDP: Purchasing power parity - $1.023 trillion (2004 est.)

11.75e+12/1.023e+12=11.485826

7e+9/2e+9=3.5

11.485826/3.5=3.28...

I.e., Canada gives 3.28 times more, compared to GDP. Compared to population, the USA only gives 38.8% of what Canada does.

Just noticed the post on the last page containing these numbers, too. But not calculating them, so this is still relevant.

There are plenty of nations way better than the USA, in aiding the less fortunate peoples of the world.

Didn't someone add up different indicators such as life expectancy, wealth, education, equality etc. and conclude that Norway was the best country in the world?

The UN does, yeah, annually.

http://www.norway.org.au/policy/worldsbest.htm
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/07/16/norway.best/

I'm going to say medieval Scandinavia (or the Vikings, if you prefer)

Who doesn't want to live off of the spoils of war and go sailing all over the freakin place? :p

Australia!!!!

YAY!!! Go Australia!!!

Being an Australian I'm going to get a good hard slap if I don't say Australia. Although, just between you and me, The British Empire has to be the best by far.

True, you do deserve a slap for that...

So i'm going to pretend you didn't say it, and so are you, arent you?

Rome. The Empire (and I mean the real roman empire not the HRE) lasted for around 1000 years. Recent empires have not fared so well; british empire, 200 years ish, Russian empire 70 years, American 'empire' 60 years and counting and looking constantly under threat during this period (it certainly wont make 1000). They managed to keep this empire together without modern communications.

Their achievements were spectacular considering the era they lived in and it is safe to say that, for hundreds of years after, there must have been people who saw the structures and thought: "how the hell do you build something like that". Personally I think civilisation didn't recover to Roman levels until the medieval period.

Other reasons; they invented democracy, most modern western countries copy their architecture, an international road network, etc.

The Soviet Union (Pre-Stalin).

Indeed some people think that Kenya pisses on Norway. (Kenya must have a very powerful bladder to piss that far.)

Lions > trees, so Kenya wins. :D

I would say a country (probably my own) here, but these threads usually degenerate the same way (already started).

"[Insert country] is the best because we have the best [insert fallacy]."

"OMG UR RONG THAT CONTRY IS TEH SUXXORZ!!!!11"

Etc.

Therefore, I will say: Atlantis!

Pfft, bullshit, we'd rape it. We could take out Germany's entire governmental base with a group of Navy SEALs, let alone with the entirety of our forces plus our nukes.

Why does best = those who could do the most killing and destruction?

I would say a country (probably my own) here, but these threads usually degenerate the same way (already started).

Well, you've got the (generally) unbiased source the UN to back up your second place with. ;)

Rogue Newbie

All those fanciful "military ownage" scenarios you're dreaming of only exist in theory, if even there. While it's technically possible for your Navy SEALs to kidnap the German Bundestag, what would happen?

I could outline the whole process here, but the end result is that America's economy would collapse beyond repair. Economically, it's not the Roman Empire. Due to the nature of modern technology and the way neoliberal economy works, any global economy relies on international cooperation and trust.

It is Undisputeable that Great Britain and Her Empire was undoubtably the best in all of world history......
Come on, they ruled one whole quarter of the worlds land, and a similar percentage of the worlds population.....
And some of the greatest nations of the mordern world are British Children, USA, Australia, New Zeland, India, Canada, South Africa... (in no particular order)

It is Undisputeable that Great Britain and Her Empire was undoubtably the best in all of world history......
Come on, they ruled one whole quarter of the worlds land, and a similar percentage of the worlds population.....
And some of the greatest nations of the mordern world are British Children, USA, Australia, New Zeland, India, Canada, South Africa... (in no particular order)
WELL SAID THAT MAN! :p

Ancient Egypt. I would say one of the much more advanced pre-ice age civilisations but we haven't any information about them.

Venice, during its time as Republica Serenissima.

A beautiful, indipendent city state, promoting arts and music, trading with places almost unknown to the rest of the world, colourful, comapratively liberal...

The U.S., of course. We're the smartest and the freest and the most economically powerful, and if you try to disagree with us, seeing as we also have the greatest military, we'll just blow your ass off the face of the Earth.

The only reason for that is because were buddy-buddy with all the OPEC countries.

Old British Empire or Commonwealth
If the commonwealth did an EU style merging it would probably beat the crap out of the E.U. and U.S.A.

List of Nations in Commonwealth

Africa
Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia
Americas
Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Falkland Islands, Guyana, St Helena
Asia
Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka
Caribbean
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands
Europe
England, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Oceania
Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Luxembourg possesses the highest GDP per capita in the world.

So I have to go with Luxembourg guys. Plus, it looks kinda pretty.

Thanks, thanks.. *bows* :D

Luxembourg preferably, but there are some others.

Now that two guys have voted for Luxembourg, the only Luxembourger in this forum is going to ruin it all by saying: I want to go to Ireland!!

I like Europe =)

Only two things,

1. Lay off the tea/wine/American television

2. All the "OMG America will invade teh w0rld!" cockbites, not too many of them, but still, they're assholes nonetheless.

Whatever country your living in will most likely be the best in your own opinions. I think USA is best, but I live here.

Ancient Egypt. I would say one of the much more advanced pre-ice age civilisations but we haven't any information about them.
*Shakes head miserably* Please, tell me you did not just say that the ancient egyptian civilisation was PRE ICE AGE? The last ice age ended 10, 000 years ago, and Egyptian civilisation did not appear until about 5,000 years ago. And what do you mean we don't have any information about them? We have an entire branch of science dedicated to its study!

i would say The USA, but then biased idiots would call me a redneck or something :-/

Relaxed downloading laws, okay. High percentage of internet users, okay. High GDP per capita, no. United States GDP per capita is about $40,100, whereas Canada's is only about $31,500. They wouldn't even rank in the top half of the European Nations, which is pretty bad. Universal healthcare sucks, too. When you put doctors on a primarily governmental budget, they simply don't have the same motivation to be great as they do if they get paid on an individual basis. More Canadians have access to healthcare than in the U.S., sure, but if you can afford healthcare in the U.S., or if you aren't too damn lazy to get a job that will pay for your healthcare, then any intelligent person takes an American over a canuck doctor, any day. Also, I think there's an old saying or a quote or something that goes along the lines of, "If you haven't pissed someone off, you haven't done anything remarkable." So not pissing anyone off is not necessarily something to be proud of. Besides, the United States is way more internationally involved than Canada is, so of course we have more of a possibility of pissing people off. For instance, the United States gives out about seven billion dollars in economic aid every year, and that's just the government - it excludes private groups. Canada gives two billion. [QUOTE]

Ok I can understand your GDP point but thats only we have to pay high taxes which help to pay for some very helpful and needed social programs such as our healthcare ...


Simply untrue. America's Health Care is fairly low, depending on who yo ask it can be in the low 20's to mid 30's on the list of countries with the best health care. NOBODY puts us anywhere near the top ten, though. Oh, and we're about Numero Uno for cost.

Basically, we pay more money for worse healthcare.

It's kinda the opposite of what is "supposed" to happen.

This pretty much sums up what I think about health care. If you think that doctors are better in America perhaps its because so many doctors from Canada to work in the states. Oh and the leading hospital in the world for treating children is Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital where people come from around the world to get treated because it is so good. I agree that our government screws up how to properly finance them but their still good.

Oh and about us not doing anything remarkable did you ever consider Canada getting involved in WWI, WWII (joined earlier than the U.S.), Korean War, Cyprus, Rwanda, Yugoslavia and Afganistan. Maybe the reason we don't piss people off is because we carefully decide when to send military forces rather than blindly getting involved in a conflict we no nothing about. I know that our military sucks right now but it has been involved in the past.

As for donating to foreign aid ...

(numbers from google)

United States
GDP: $ 11,750,000,000,000

Canada
GDP: Purchasing power parity - $1.023 trillion (2004 est.)

11.75e+12/1.023e+12=11.485826

7e+9/2e+9=3.5

11.485826/3.5=3.28...

I.e., Canada gives 3.28 times more, compared to GDP. Compared to population, the USA only gives 38.8% of what Canada does.

Just noticed the post on the last page containing these numbers, too. But not calculating them, so this is still relevant.

There are plenty of nations way better than the USA, in aiding the less fortunate peoples of the world.[QUOTE]

Yeah that sums it up pretty well. I mean did you even consider the fact that you have a population ten times ours and vastly greater GDP. No offence but duh! Oh and just for the record both countries are missing their UN obligations to give a certain percentage of their GDP. (I think its 0.7% but I'm not sure)

Sorry for above post. I screwed up the quotes. All the #'s were supposed to be the quote.

Okay Okay, so your probably thinking "This guy is a horriblely curious sp@mwhore who likes to create senseless threads"

And thats 100% true. So out of curiosity, which country of the world do you think is the greatest, past empires can be accepted

i.e. Holy Roman Empire, Prussia, Blah Blah Blah!

Personally me I prefer Japan.

Not having been anywhere outside of North America, I vote for my own country - the U.S. (with Canada being a close second :) ). But excluding the countries on my own continent, and only going by what I've heard from others who've been around a tad bit more than me, I'd have to cast my vote for Australia.

I'd go with Scotland! (I'm American)
Great equality (lol every one wears dresses ;) )
They painted themselves Blue and beat the crap out of the Roman (Brits) army while naked!

Gorgeous Country, cool accent, nice mythology, I could go on :)

I.e., Canada gives 3.28 times more, compared to GDP. Compared to population, the USA only gives 38.8% of what Canada does.
Look, it really doesn't matter what they give as a percentage of their GDP, because the U.S. had a lot more filthy rich individuals and interest groups and churches and shit that probably give four or five times what the U.S. government gives. Don't bother looking a number up, because there's no way to determine it with any sort of accuracy, and any site that says they did is full of shit. You can't keep track of that kind of money flowing between that many accounts in that many locations throughout the world. Besides, even if, after all of that, the U.S. was still lower than Canada as a percent of their GDP, the fact is that we still give more because we have more to give, and we have more because our economy kicks the shit out of Canada - even if we are greedier and we keep a higher percentage of it.

I'd go with Scotland! (I'm American)
Great equality (lol every one wears dresses ;) )
They painted themselves Blue and beat the crap out of the Roman (Brits) army while naked!

Gorgeous Country, cool accent, nice mythology, I could go on :)

Any country that stuffs cow stomachs and eats them rocks!

Denmark. Gotta love the Danes.

I posted the exact same essay in the forum on why everyone hates America, but I figured it could apply here too to show why America rocks and why its the undisputed best of today's world.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyone know what a Trident Submarine is? If you do well....

America. Its great. I don't think u can put it any easier than that. Ya know what's the best thing about America? BBQs. That's right. BBQs and the great food we eat at BBQs. Sure our military is outstanding. Sure we plant democracy all around the world and let it grow. But until you've sit down, enjoyed, and appreciated a few dozen good ol' American BBQs, you don't know squat about US culture.

Now I know how we're the great melting pot and how what we've become is the result of what we have received, and to be honest, I'm very grateful for all the hard-working, dignified, conditioned immigrants that came here from all over the world just to make it big. But even they were grateful for the opportunity that they were provided with that no other country could match in the world. America's not perfect, but its the best we've got on the whole planet.

Some people say America is a very oppressive nation that doesn't care for foreigners. There was even an article in the Wall Street Journal explaining how annoying it is to hear that we are treating terrorists in Guantanamo Bay poorly because some morons decided to burn some copies of the quran and some captives had a chance to explain their feelings to the rest of the world. Somebody please explain the logic of how you can believe and revere what a terrorist who supported and effort to harm the American public said, while believing that the innocence of those of the most liberating country is flawed. Excuse me but I do not think any 5 yr. old kid playing baseball with his dad cheering him on is exactly being brainwashed by American Ideals. Sure we stand for freedom and independence and liberty, but even if you're nuts enough to stand against that, wouldn't you think just for a second that people like to enjoy their free-time and each other's company. How would you feel if someone was always coughing down orders on the back of your neck and if you didn't have any friends in the world?

Now don't get smart about that's exactly what the American armed forces are all about. Excuse me again por favor, but not one of those soldiers that are stationed around the world was enlisted or drafted into service. ALL of them were volunteers one way or another. Some felt that they should stand up for their country because they felt it stands for that which they believe in. Others joined because of educational and medical benefits (which in our great country can be easily acquired through many other means; even the poorest and most decrepit citizens can get a college education and supportive housing through U.S. and state grants). Others wanted to serve side by side with their brothers-in-arms and friends 'n' family. And yes. Sure. Someone joined because he wanted to hold a gun in his hand and get the chance to blow some "towel-head's" block off. But all of those enlisted stand for the common causes of freedom and independence and liberty.

Finally, there are those that think America is oppressing its own for the sake of counter-terrorism. To be blunt, tell me if you have read the entire Patriot Act because #1; that is the hardest document against civil liberties and #2; it DOESN'T INTERFERE with your civil liberties. Like nearly every other U.S. piece of legislation, there are exceptions to every rule, and every action the government is able to perform is something perfectly valid anyway since it applies ONLY TO SYSTEMS ALREADY PUBLICLY MONITORED.

For example, did you know that the government can watch everything you do on your computer? Guess what? It's been able to do that ever since the creation of the internet. Wanna know why? Because the government has network connections through all major communications providers. It's the same reason why police can use wiretaps for suspected criminals. And oh yah. The CIA, NSA, FBI, and INS as well as Federal Marshals and plenty other organizations use wiretaps without warrants legally as long as they show them to the proper analytical authorities which determine if valid evidence has been acquired for the recordings not to be destroyed.

Another example is how the government can check your library records. Guess what? The government's been able to do that since the creation of public libraries too. Guess why again? Because they belong to the government. Excuse me yet again but I would like to be able to look at my record-books that keep tally over what I own and have lent out and I'd bet you would too for your property.

In case your still interested here's a link for the Patriot Act.
http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.pdf

Anyway, back to BBQs. BBQs give people the chance to get to know each other. That's why neighborhoods hold them whenever a new family moves in or whenever one is moving out or whenever anything important happens. And guess what else? Most people don't ignore each other at BBQs. They don't care if you're yellow, red, black, brown, or white. They don't care if you wear a cross or not as a necklace. They don't even care if they see you kissing someone of the same sex or not (well maybe if you're making out with someone in the middle of the front lawn but that's different). People like to get along and that's the keystone of America. I like BBQs. Almost everyone I know holds BBQs. Even restaurants try to feel like BBQs since they want to be seen as family places rather than bars (TGI Fridays, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday's; you know the places).

So if you don't like America, go to a BBQ. Go to a few. Go to a few dozen. You'll like 'em. Even if you're not invited, just walk in, introduce yourself, and enjoy the good time you're about to have. Find out what's so great about grandpa. Ask people what their plans for the future are. Ask people what their WORRIES for the future are. Find out who everyone thinks is going to win the World Series (unless you're a New Yorker going to Boston or vice versa).

BBQs. They're what makes today's America special, and nothing short of 'em.

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If you wanna talk about historical empires though, I'm really hard pressed I can say that the Roman, Mongol, and Islamic all did an awesome job before the fell apart. Its been a while since I studied all that stuff, but if I remember correctly, those three "contributed" the most too today's culture and intellectual development. The Mongols are understandably questionable since they did do a lot of sacking and are thought to have possibly created another Dark Age if Temüjin (Genghis Khan) didn't die unexpectedly, but they did prevent the Russians from becoming vast and fruitful; an effect clearly seen in the paranoid and oppressive czars and communists. If they hadn't swept through today's Russia who knows. We may have ended up with a more peaceful and humane country (with a simpler language) or we may have ended up with a superpower that would have never had any reason to compete in the Cold War since it would have spread communism all over the world following a victory against Germany with the revolution being a more serene evolution, similar to what could have happened in Britain during the ind. rev.

France,
has been beat up just about as hard as any nation still around today, and has always rebounded,

Just have to love the food and drink though :)

I'd say it would have to be Norway, or Sweden or Canada or any where in the Netherlands.

The U.S., of course. We're the smartest and the freest and the most economically powerful, and if you try to disagree with us, seeing as we also have the greatest military, we'll just blow your ass off the face of the Earth.

Which demonstrates why, with attitudes like that, you are definitely not the smartest, or the greatest. You're just the most arrogant.

I'd go with Scotland! (I'm American)
Great equality (lol every one wears dresses ;) )
They painted themselves Blue and beat the crap out of the Roman (Brits) army while naked!

Gorgeous Country, cool accent, nice mythology, I could go on :)While you're right about how great Scotland is (I'm Scottish), I suggest that you remove your rose coloured glasses, or else stop watching Braveheart.

As I have been to New Zealand however, I have to say that out of the many countries I've visited, this has to be the best in the world.

The U.S., of course. We're the smartest and the freest and the most economically powerful, and if you try to disagree with us, seeing as we also have the greatest military, we'll just blow your ass off the face of the Earth.
yeah coz arrogance is really smart. freest? i laugh in your face. U.S. decomcracy is anything but. try looking at your ironically called U.S. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. act and tell me you people are free

yeah coz arrogance is really smart. freest? i laugh in your face. U.S. decomcracy is anything but. try looking at your ironically called U.S. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. act and tell me you people are free

Yeah. We're pretty free. I have the least amount of rights of anyone in the U.S., being a minor and all, and I feel free. I can say anything I want. Example: fuck the government. bush is an evil nazi. i hope the terrorists attack again. I can say that without fear of being peresecuted. I can practice any religion I want. I can peacefully assembly where I want. I have the right to own a gun, as well as the right to protect myself.

Yep. We're free.

Oh, would you mind telling me what a "decomcracy" is?

What about Ireland, you can't beat the Irish for a bit a craic

New Zealand!
Australia!

For worst I say Alexander the (not so) Great's, it fell apart after his humiliating defeat at India. Couldn't defeat the monsoons which is nothing more then rain, alot but still only water.

hate to tell you that alexander was undeafeted in battle and that the died of fever.

The best country is Israel because despite all international pressure and at one time having 5 hostile nations around it at birth it has become a first rate military power with more nucs than britain

France,
has been beat up just about as hard as any nation still around today, and has always rebounded,

Just have to love the food and drink though :)

The French would be speaking German today if it weren't for the United States. Fuck the French. Fuck 'em. That's what I say.

Which demonstrates why, with attitudes like that, you are definitely not the smartest, or the greatest. You're just the most arrogant.
Look, A: It was sarcasm, kind of; B: Like I said, if you disagree with us, we can bomb you. Victory is ours, either way. "Kiiii - huh... you lose."

The French would be speaking German today if it weren't for the United States. Fuck the French. Fuck 'em. That's what I say.


Look, A: It was sarcasm, kind of; B: Like I said, if you disagree with us, we can bomb you. Victory is ours, either way. "Kiiii - huh... you lose."

Not really - if you went around bombing everybody who disagreed with you, you'd have nobody to trade with and your economy would collapse. Or something. And if it was sarcasm then I take it all back anyway - it just pisses me off when people actually mean comments like that :)

And yes, fuck the French. Fuck 'em right in the eye, bastard frogs...

Chicago, although not yet fully independent, will become the greatest country when it seceeds from the United States. If the south could just barely lose in their quest for independence, then northerners could prevail easily. And with support from Canada and a bold invasion of Texas by the Mexicans, the United States will crumble and Chicago will lead the world!

I'm a chicagoan (fine I live in the suburbs but its close enough) and I say that there is no way that Chicago could succeed from the U.S. there would to many rivalries most importantly the Sox fans would not fight with the Cubs fans also we would be corrupt with a political machine running things. Chicago cannot become a great nation at least not until we get one baseball team.

The best Empire was the Mongolian Empire because they conquered all of Asia and spread into Europe and parts of Africa in a SHORT amount of time!!! So a big Hurahh to the Mongolian Empire!!! OH and by the way the North was stomped until the General Grant came in just a little insight to the nearsighted fools that post in forums.
:mp5: :sniper:

Thailand, of course!

germany and israel could own us. sadly... i guess the glory days of america are gone. they only lasted like 60 years. wow.

Where do you think Israel's power comes from?

A: The United States.

We fund their military and gives them tons of money in aid. I doubt they'd want to own us.

People are underestimating China, yes, but it owes its current success to that of Wal-Mart, and the fact that the US needs foriegn money to prop up its debt. (China invests heavily in US bonds). So China and the US really need each other.

Also the people are underestimating the US. We spend far more money on our military than anyone else in the world. Besides even if someone were to invade, the citizens here are extremely nationalistic, even if an invasion succeeded in toppeling the government, its doubtful the new owners would be in for an easy time.

The US is in far more danger of falling apart internally than it is from some foriegn force.

Did anyone read what I had to say about BBQs and America?!

I'm very ticked with how what I wrote was ignored and I'd appreciate it if someone commented on it.

Also, you guys that keep posting on the Patriot Act; like I asked before, have any of you actually read the thing? There's a post on where to find it in my reply and a paragraph summarizing how it affects average citizenry.
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As for which countries come the next best in culture and democracy after the U.S., gotta go for Brazil, Croatia, and (thx for reminding me) Thailand. If you know anything on the 80's S.American nuclear situation, what happened between Serbia and Kosovo, and what America did for Thailand after WW2 and during Vietnam, you'll get what I'm saying.

San Marino

The glorious socialist Bundesrepublik von Buechoria.

Then I have a question for you, is it one countries or like the HRE after its "glory days", 50 bonded by one government (USA not HRE, that was many states)? State means a country, each state has its own laws, including sales tax or lack of it, but each follow federal laws.

The issue of whether the United States is essentially a single country or a multi-national confederation of states was settled with the adoption of the Constitution, and more decisively in the Civil War.

You're misinterpreting the word "state," I think, which in this case is only a regional division with a more local/federal government.