why is it still considered the greatest?

Question

Why is that people say that the U.S. is the greatest country in the world when it looks like we're falling way behind other countries? Our education is crap compared to everyone else's, isn't it? Are countries like Japan, Germany, France and China going to be better places to live within the next few decades?

Answer 1

Some people consider that the U.S. has already reached its zenith in power and greatness, and is now in its declining stages.

The arrogance of the U.S. mindset of its superiority has caused us to feel that our educational system is the best there is.

Other countries, on the other hand, because they are NOT considered a superpower, will put forth MORE effort in everything they do - education, manufacturing quality, global careers, etc.

Answer 2

That all depends on what YOU think makes a country great.
The U.S.A. is one of the greatest military powers in the world, many feel pride in this -- after all many men and women died to make the U.S. this strong, and it took a century of learning to achieve this. They used that power to liberate France from the Nazi occupation, and Asia from the Japanese occupation.
That is NOT to say the U.S. of A. is without its problems. Years and years of slavery has left a negative impact on race relations in the U.S. But beware, the countries you listed also have their share of problems too. Those countries have to do much to ensure a high quality of life in the future.
Make sure you actually know something about Japan or China's educational systems before you make comparisons or assume they are any better. Both of those countries have highly competitive educational systems and exams after exams turn many of the bright young students into passive information collectors and regurgitators with little or no creativity.
China's problems (environmental, soical, political) now do not make it a better place to live in. How else could you explain the long line-ups of Chinese who want to study in the U.S. or emigrate there?

Answer 3

People also say that the US is the worst, but they keep coming here. I personally think that we should promote this concept of a dead US. Encourage people to stay in their own country and fix their own country up. As for current Americans, everybody who dislikes the dwindling freedoms we still retain, should leave. We were better off with less people who were less dependent on a huge bureaucratic government.

Our socialized education system stinks, to be sure, but it's still not falling behind the educational system of the Sudan, for instance.

Japan is actually doing OK. Germany is at the cross-roads; France will not be the slightest bit functional or recognizable as "French" within ten years. China will take over the Persian Empire's oil fields after the Iranians finish doing the dirty work for them.

Once we're gone, Europe is gone. Hope the Aussie's are still in the mood to kick serious butt.

And I miss the good old days when we lit off real fireworks for Independence Day, got drunk, and yet, nobody got hurt.

Answer 4

According to polls conducted throughout the world, the U.S. is no longer leading as the "best place to move to and get ahead" in any country except India.

"The greatest country in the world" is a title self-granted, but there is still a long list to back this up. In terms of economics, the U.S. is still on top in terms of wealth. However, industry is disappearing, GDP growth rate is certainly not #1, and the income gap is growing yearly.

The problem is, of course, that the country's public image has suffered greatly for half a decade. Hence, we are no longer looked upon as a model to others.

Although, in reference to the countries you've mentioned, they all have plenty of problems of their own. Germany is not comparable to the U.S., and France's economy is completely stalled, as is their socialist system. You can compare the entire EU to the U.S., and still argue that the U.S. is a stronger economy. And China has a long way to go, despite their self-aggrandizing.

As far as education, the U.S. ranks poorly with other industrialized nations up to secondary levels - tertiary (University/College) is dominated by U.S. institutions.

Answer 5

Peoples from all over the globe still perceive that America is the greatest country in which to fulfill dreams and pursue opportunities. As your question implies, there are other ways that "greatness" can be measured. But, in terms of the shear numbers of people who desire to come here from all over the world, America is second to no one.