How would you rate the United States? (for non-Americans)?

Question

For what reasons would you say it is a great or not so great country. Ranging from, say, living standards, politics, constitutional matters (how democratic is it really?), economy, and social areas, or anything else.

This is in response to another question asking American's how they would rate their own country. The majority of the answers said no.1.

Answer 1

Living standards - high, but not top. The US has pretty good living standards, but there are a LOT of poor people, and the gap between rich and poor is huge. In addition public services aren't so good. So the US has high living standards if you're rich, and pretty poor if you're not. So I'd give it a 8/9.

Politics - well that's the US' issue, they can't vote in my elections or criticise our politics and I can't do the same. However I think the two party system in the US is incredibly flawed. Personally I think the US is far too right wing, but again that's your issue.

The US isn't very democratic at all - but then it's a republic, not a democracy. You get to vote on some stuff but not all the time. Personally I think if you're allowed to vote on which untalented moron will get booted off the latest reality show you should probably get to vote on whether or not execution is legal in your state - but then perhaps that's just me.

Economy - pretty good but flagging. I VERY much dislike the way the US is agressively pushing to continue the dollar's hegemony on the world economy. If your currency is slouching then surely the principles of the free market mean you need to better your product, not launch a coup somewhere.

Social areas - where do I start? Everywhere else in the western world has pretty high levels of social care - from partially state funded healthcare (like in France) to completely free healthcare in the UK, to nationalised public transport in the Czech Republic and on and on. But then I can't force the US to have such things, I just personally think they're a good idea.

I have 3 main issues with the US (well mostly 2 as the 3rd springs from another) The US' people are very very ignorant. I don't mean stupid, I mean that they simply don't understand either what is going on in the world or why what is going on in the world is happening. The classic example of showing an average American a map and asking them to point out where (eg) Greece is as the classic example.

Secondly the US is increcibly arrogant. Sure, you're very powerful economically and militarily, but you will not make any friends by barging around the world kicking up a fuss and demanding people do it your way or no way.

Thirdly the US foreign policiy is just wrong. It's completely hypocritical - funding bent dictatorships here (Saudi Arabia) and denouncing them there (Iran) invading countries "with WMD" one minute (Iraq) and ignoring others (North Korea)

However I can't mark the US down too much on that. It's certainly an ugly side, but there is no question that the US is one of the most successful countries on Earth. Overall I'd give the US about 7 or 8 out of 10.

However purely based on the US' politicians and their policies I'm afraid you only get a 4.

Answer 2

Politically? Very low, too much corruption i'm afraid.
Constitutionally? Well the constitution has suffered greatly under Bush's regime.
Economy? Seeing as the USA is living on borrowed money at the time, i can't say it's all to well that either.
Living standards? Hard to answer this one, it's far too general. Some places it's very high, some low. It's a big country. The overall is a bit higher than the average i would say though. So that's a +.

I wouldn't personally rate the country high. I would if this was the 20's, but it seems the country has steadily gone downhill since then.

Answer 3

I saw that question. I am English and I rate it highly for living standards, quality of life, the economy and socially. I rate it highly overall but then living standards, the economy and society in most of Europe, Australia and large parts of Asia are similar, so they are not unique in having high living standards.

They are less of a democracy than they used to be but I would say the same thing about the UK.

I'm sure the US is a great place to live, but I'm happy where I am.

Answer 4

There was a report released recently which showed the top countries to live in and the U.S. placed 12th. Australia was #1 so those Americans who said #1 are really wrapped up in their own little world

Answer 5

i does no longer attempt to deter it. purely getting faraway from the spoiled and sheltered little infants in person bodies out right here in Ecotopia, California would be an incredible income. They stay in a fairy tale l. a.-l. a. land and their style are helping destroy the finished united states of america. Federal investment comes from the folk, like each and every investment. Texans are probable paying extra effective than their share of "federal investment" so as that they'd come out gaining in the event that they weren't paying money going to deficit states.

Answer 6

Well, what's it on a scale of? I wouldnt rate it very highly at all. Poor living standards and equality, very agressive capitalist system, dodgy democracy and we can't forget a stupid, dangeorus president! But then, I guess you're not so oppressed in the US as in non-democratic countries. Comparing to demoractic countries though, rates extremely low and I have to say I wouldn't even consider living there...ugh

Answer 7

The media portrays all the bad because they are looking for a 'perfect' society and they focus on issues THEY feel are keeping us from getting there.
America is still the best country in the world but not as great as it once was. It offers alot of opportunity for those who want to succeed and even if I am not at the top of the ladder, I do not attack those who made / make it.
Too much freedom for people who do not understand freedom is what's going to bring America to her end.

Answer 8

I'm Canadian, I would say...maybe 6 out of 10. There are some places in the US, like Seattle, to which I would give 9 out of 10. It's just the wal-mart-home-depot-overconsumming-polluting standardized culture that I don't like. They pollute so much, and over-consume...I'm not saying that Canada is a 10, but under Bush, the US lost most of its appeal to me.

Answer 9

everyone says their own country is number one. Even people in countries with poverty and bad governments, trust me. I actually have written several blogs on the curruption of our government and how we take advantage of our own citizens an other countries. I honestly would live no where else but we have a lot of messed up stuff in our "behind the scenes".
Read the blog titled, " I got carried away about a movie comment thread." That is the most recent one i wrote on America.

Answer 10

i think people in America are proud of their country and they should be. i do not know enough to comment about their society or culture, i mean if you are not an american and you have never been to America then the benchmark we get is Jerry springer and Maury lol, they are not representing America at its best i imagine.