Why do most Americans think they live in the best country in the world?

Question

I don't think it is really so. From what we see people are prejudiced, racist, segregationist, materalistic, shallow and narrow- minded. Do you agree?

Answer 1

I think the reason most Americans think that is that most Americans haven't seen most of America. Don't get me wrong, its a great place to visit and can have a lot to offer as a holiday destination. From my experience the best parts of the States are all natural and have nothing to do with the people who live there. Its such a large place that it of course has pockets of good but if you compare the land mass with that of Europe... Well, I think Europe has a lot more to offer.

It is meant to be a land of opportunities but sadly those opportunities really only apply to a minority. There is so much poverty there it actually reminded me of parts of Africa I had visited. These things are swept under the carpet and not really talked about. I think when Hurricane Katrina hit one of these parts, and the people who lived on the bread line were on national news, a vast majority of America were genuinely shocked that this was their country...

Also Americans wont see themselves or their country from an outside perspective as they are too close to it all. Its a bit like not seeing how bad your own child is because its your child you can forgive anything. The rest of the world sees the bad all too clearly!

It really isn't the best country in the world. I live in England and I don't think that is the best country in the world either. There are a lot of countries that have it more sorted than both of them but they don't advertise it and that way they can keep it great. Living in Germany for a year was a real eye opener!

And I do agree that the things you listed are more prevalent in the USA than in the UK but it is still a gross generalisation and not true of everyone. Sadly it is true of a lot of the people that run the country.

Good question though... quite thought provoking!

Thanks.

Answer 2

There are good and bad things to the USA, as with all country's. When visiting there from the "motherland" IE, England... I've found the people really nice - that includes NYC. As Compaired to the miserable wingers we seem to of bred here in the U.K. over the last 2 generations.

You really have to remember that the USA is virtually a continent - the diffrence between the attitudes of people from the west coast to the east coast and the mid is alot.

there are a couple of things that grate, there is no social policy - no proper health service provided for by the government - afterall we all work hard for our country - we should get something back.

the other thing is that the USA has been the most dominant power in the world for 60 years, and is in effect an empire - but it was a stolen empire. The British stood upto a the far superior Nazi war machine and struggled a long while before uncle sam came in, somehow the efforts of the Australians, Kiwi's, Cannuks, Indians and a whole host of other countries were forgotten about.

The economic power of the Usa will dwindle, George Bush as like Reagan may have to adjust the value of the dollar as it's weak. The hardline capitalistic system of sink or swim is a bad thing, we should all contribute to help the less well off. Did you know the combined economy's of the EU is bigger than the USA and Japan put together. - thing is the EU member states couldnt arrange a pee-up in a brewery so i dont think the USA is to worried! - but no doubt is worried about the emrgence of China, HOW CAN WE TRADE WITH COMMUNISTS????

At the end of it all, the USA is a great place - but it could of been so much better if it had of stayed in our club.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

(thats not Tony Blair by the way!)

Answer 3

I live in Australia, for the Americans out there it’s not apart of the Middle East. We are a predominantly white country. You know, Where Steve Irwin came from???
I watched the American 'Meet the Press' the other night and Bill Clinton was on trying to address why even America’s allies hate the Americans. And it is simply because the American public live in a cocoon. They are uneducated about their own state of affairs let alone the worlds.
The Americans are so pro American they loose sight of what once made their country so exceptional. But under President W. Bush the world, even USA Clones like my country have grown to truly dislike America.
Perhaps with a change of government and a little humility things might change.
No one likes the bloke that flexes his muscles to prove he is cool. It’s what you say, not what you do that’s important. And Americans in general talk crap when it comes to their own nation.
American TV shows like BOSTON LEGAL is a great example of Americans trying to educate Americans on how they are perceived.
It is something that Americans will not be able to understand till they step back and really see their own behaviour. And realise that the world is made of many nations, many of those nations are America's allies. Although America seems to negate this easily. With sweeping statements like “You are either with us, or against us”.
What kinda comment is that? Do the Eskimos have to choose? What has it got to do with them? Are their igloos gonna get bombed. Australians have also been targeted in Bali.
But many Americans still think we are in the Middle East and their enemies. Why? Cause as I stated earlier lack of education.
The world sees Jay Leno go on the street and ask the average American who is the President, and they have no idea. When my 10 year old son the other side of the world knows who the American president is, and who his own Prime Minster is.
I wish there was an easy answer, and I wish Americans could accept it without wrapping themselves in the stars and stripes and feeling “F*CK THE WORLD: We are strong, thump chest, thump chest”.
America can’t fight the battle in both Afghanistan and Iraq without the Brits, French, Australians, and Japanese. But the American people believe they can.
It is so strange the sense they have of their own strength.
“We have nuclear weapons”. So??? If you use them you die?
Russia, or some other country will launch there’s and we all die.
Wow, that makes you tough!
I love American TV, music, and parts of the culture.
And I’m sure we could appreciate the country with a change in American attitudes.
But it will not happen, as Americans can’t take ANY critism.
They are above self doubt, they are also above paying their UN bill. America is rich americans say! Take a look at Americas foriegn debt. They owe huge amounts. And just because you recontruct Irzq (and loose 9 billion dollars of the cash) doesn't mean you don't have to pay another country what you owe.
I'll shut up before the CIA hunt me down using the anti terror laws. Cause America is soooo free.

Answer 4

This is more like a statement rather than a question. But I do have a thing to say about this and my country. My family has been in the United States of America for about 160 years now and they never had it easy. Freedom wasnt given to them, neither was a free handout, they worked hard to raise there family's and to have good health just like the millions of other Americans have and do today. We all turn and help one another when we need to and when we are able. Its like having a brother and sister, you have name calling, fights, revenge, resentments and so on but when a time is needed to step up and take care of one another we do. America is a great place of oppertunity and the Natural Surroundings are amazing. I am very thankful that are country can work together for its future and its people and that I am part of it. The big picture is that were all human and seperated by bodies of Water. Imagine if we were all together then what would be said? By the way I would travel to another countryif I could afford to, but life here in the USA isnt as easy as some of you are saying, 26 years I've lived here from California to Virgina its all the same it's tough and each day I stay greatful even though I havent moved more than a step forward. Staying Patriotic and Open Minded and Spiritually Connected keeps me going in this great country.

Answer 5

Americans think they liv ein the best country in the world because its what there braught up beliving, but i have to make them wrong and say the u.k is. where else can you come in to a country after claiming false asslum and get a 4 bedroom house and 30.000 pounds a year on benifits not the usa thats for sure. Plus you only have to look at the British health system to know that WERE the best country in the world in the u.s u need insurence for every thing and u pay tax. dont u yankees ever get the feeling that you being knocked of.

Answer 6

Like Ancient (and more modern?) China, the USA is an inward-looking society, generally speaking.

For example, go to the USA and see how much world news is broadcast there, compared with domestic US news.

You will find the amount of world news available to the US public is small compared with that available to, say, audiences in Europe.

This may lead some US citizens to adopt a somewhat skewed view of the World and of their place in it.

Some members of other nations sometimes find this perception of self-importance irritating or infuriating.

This is ok so long as it doesn't lead them down the path towards an irrational prejudice against the whole US population.

I am a European.

Answer 7

I would be very wary about claiming to know what the majority of Americans think.let alone try to explain it. But if push came to shove I'd say that those Americans who've never been anywhere else may believe what they are told and of those who've travelled and seen for themselves the squalor of a South African township, or Brazilians foraging on rubbish tips for saleable scrap or a place where a qualified engineer can't even afford to buy a car, then you could forgive them for wanting to get home.
A tourist who is treated badly in a Paris restaurant may well go back home with some (!) negative feelings toward the French.
But on the other hand I know , or have met in my travels a certain number of Americans who feel very comfortable living elswhere in the world and, having experienced life in the US, choose to stay away for a number of reasons and amongst those there are the ones you have listed in your question. Maybe their judgement is more sound than mine as they have "voted with their feet"
One thing I have learned in my life is that we are all, at one time or another, an ambassador for our country. One loose comment, one instance of bad behaviour can turn a foreign person off with respect to your own country You may be the only representative of your county he will ever meet (particularly if you're from a small country). It can be positive or negative, that lasting impression you've given him.

Answer 8

Its because they are told it is. The whole idea of the American dream is just that a dream that is sold to misguided people telling them that if they are not great or a success its because they are losers. The interesting thing is that the American press is at number 44 in the world in the current press freedom index, which of course helps make America the best country in the world .

Answer 9

Isn't that a bit prejudiced, racist, segregationist, materalistic, shallow and narrow- minded of you to say?

Answer 10

Why shouldn't they. I think England is the best country in the world, rightly or wrongly. Patriotism is a good thing.
I haven't met many Americans, but those that I have met have been just like anyone else. Some are nice, some are nasty and some, to use an Americanism, are just jerks!
So no. I don't agree.