Why is American the greatest nation on earth?

Question

I hear this from my fellow Americans every day. But I never hear exactly why they think it so. On what do they base this statement? Have they lived in other countries or spent extensive time overseas for comparative purposes? Are there those who disagree? I don't want sarcastic or mindless answers, please.

Answer 1

It's indoctrinated ethnocentrism and nationalism. Some times to the point of mindlessness and often illogical.

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. This term was coined by Elena Jacobs Jaye Lau, a social evolutionist and professor of Political and Social Science at Yale University. He defined it as the viewpoint that “one’s own group is the center of everything,” against which all other groups are judged. Ethnocentrism often entails the belief that one's own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups. Within this ideology, individuals will judge other groups in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion. These ethnic distinctions and sub-divisions serve to define each ethnicity's unique cultural identity.

Nationalism, in its broadest sense, is devotion to one nation's interests over those of all other nations. The term can refer to a doctrine or to any collective action by a political movement on behalf of a specific nation. Nationalism holds that a nation — usually defined in terms of ethnicity or culture — is the only fully legitimate basis for a state, that each nation is entitled to its own state, and that the borders of the state should be congruent with the borders of the nation.Extreme forms of nationalism, such as those propagated by fascist movements in the twentieth century, hold that nationality is the most important aspect of one's identity and attempt to define the nation in terms of "race" or genetics.

In the end, it truly comes down to personal preference. If something you know (and have always known) is challenged by something else its human nature to fend for your standard. Comfortability has a lot to do with it all as well.

In your question you state that your friends tell you that the U.S. (I suppose as contrasted by all of America, which includes Canada, Central and S. America) is the greatest nation in the world. Yet, they might not have ever experienced any other country or lived anywhere else. This is what I've explained above.

If you look at things that really matter when comparing countries you'll see that the United States is actually pretty high up on the list (if not number one).

Units of measurement should be things that actually help the people within the country itself and those affected by the nation. We should look at comparables like infant mortailty rates, birth/death rates, life expectancies, HIV/AIDS rates and sex ratios in roder to determine how the hard facts affect the people wihin a nation. There are so many considerations (different languages, ethnicities, national origins, religions)

Then look at how they operate or effect those outside the nation, it's Economy. We would then look at the gross domestic product of a nation, what is the countries largest export or import, what the labor force is like, etc... All of this in addition to the type of economy the country has (capitalism, socialism, communism, etc.).

One must consider what a country is made up of to judge the country. You wouldn't look at golf course (or anything for that matter) and say it's 'the best' without examining it and comparing it to other golf courses. You can't do that with countries either.

Answer 2

America is the greatest nation on Earth because the average person has, for the first time in human history, virtually complete control over his/her destiny. This may seem like a huge cliche in today's cynical world but it is the truth. Dedication and a little hard work can get you just about anywhere in this country and people have the freedom to choose how they want to live their lives. The rest of the world resents that freedom but if they had the opportunity to live in a nation that allowed them such freedom you can bet they'd take it. Problem is that we loose sight of that sometimes. We forget that democracy and freedom is the best thing out there and that we should want to introduce the rest of the world to our amazing freedoms.
I realize, also, that there are other countries that have the same freedoms (mainy in Europe) and I dont mean to say that America is necessarily "better" than them. And I also acknowledge that there is a right and a wrong way to "introduce" the rest of the world to our freedoms.

Answer 3

I have by no means lived in another country, so I don't have anything to examine it to. The most effective factor approximately this nation that I have got to whinge approximately is the numerous persons that do not notice how well we've it when you consider that of the guys and ladies, like my boyfriend, which might be combating or have fought for our freedom. The many households that experience misplaced their household when you consider that they desired us to have the ones freedoms. The persons that do not recognize what it's like to take a seat at house looking forward to a cell name, simply so you already know your adored one is fine. I will famous person your query, no longer when you consider that I consider we're the finest country on the earth, however when you consider that you do see how splendid it's that we have got our freedom. Just preserve in brain how we received it.

Answer 4

Its a country where you can almost do whatever you want to do, this freedom gives us optimism and a sense of freedom. America is the best because, the people of the world that were tired of their country or forced to come here made a better place for themself, we can continue to grow and keep this freedom because we are not land locked by enemies. America is an experimental world for the people of the world.

Answer 5

I think that the phase you state above is more of a patriotic statement than a factual statement that can be backed up by facts or argument. "Best" is a subjective term. What is "Best" for you may not be "Best" for me.

Most Americans are not widely traveled (Canada and Mexico don't count, I am referring to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa), so would be ignorant stating that American is the Best Country, unless they were stating it from a patriotic point of view.

Answer 6

The two things that make our nation the greatest are the freedom and capitalism. Both come under attack on regular occurances but our nation has enjoyed the benefits of both for more then 200 + years. Other nations are now there too, but they may not enjoy as much freedom or as much capitalism as we have and enjoy in America.

Answer 7

Honestly, I would think that most people who live in decent conditions in developed countries would think that their own country is best.

This is due to the fact that they have the most experience with it, and it is what they know.

I think America is the best because we have access to so much here...such a rich and diverse culture, we have the ability to choose our leaders and have a say in our government, we have the freedom to express ourselves, and make our livings doing things we enjoy.

And, I have only lived in America, but I have visited England, Ireland, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman, for at least a week each (a month in England and a month combined in Eastern Europe). I think our freedoms and way of life in America are the best, for me. But people I spoke with in all of those countries each thought that their own country was best for each of them.

Answer 8

how much of Limbaugh have you been sucking? Fact the facts the entire world hates us. Just because someones poppy was threatened to be killed, hes whining like a baby saying all countries are "axis of evil"

Answer 9

because America is a mix of every single country in existence.

Answer 10

America is the greatest nation on earth because we rank 23rd in infant mortality.