What Country (Besides the One You Live In) Do You Respect the Most?

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Antarctica. Not completely tainted yet by humans.

 

Probably Japan, except for the whole WWII stint. Their history is interesting, their architecture is amazing, they're forerunners in technological development, most notably robotics, and their culture is utterly insane, but in a good way. Mostly.

 

Canada.

Freedom.

 

Probably Denmark or Norway, I like things stable and decent without any great extravagancies or great dips. I like what we in Sweden call "lagom" not too much and not too little. Generally cold rational and common sense carries the day and formed our societies. I like that. Very little flamboyance.

 

It has been estimated that 12% of the world's population can trace their DNA back to the Khans. Those guys really got around. Most of their cultural achievements came from absorbing other cultures. If you give them any credit at all it would be that they generally respected the cultures they absorbed instead of smashing them to bits.

As to the OP: Iceland.

 

Switzerland. They basically tell the rest of the world to go around them in all political struggles and leave them alone, and as a result, they have really low taxes...

 

Canada. America's mellow neighbour. I'd love to live there.

I'm trying to get an a univeristy exchange next year, which would put me in a university in Quebec. Then I could practice my French.

 

C'mon people there has to be a US fan somewhere in the world... Staying in the closet won't help

 

Chicken, do you want me to fetch you a blanket and some food, so you can camp here and wait?

 

New Zealand:

Free, democratic and secular country.
Not afraid to say No when they disagree with something (i.e. to the US with regards to Nuclear weapons).
Willing to commit troups when deemed necesary.
Progressive use of clean energy sources (Water, Geothermal)
Very good policies on (native) conservation.
Extremely nice people.

Running a close second would be the Scandinavian coutries, although I'm not sure how I'd rate one above another.

 

New Zealand for me as well. Sure we have our sporting fueds and jokes but they stuck by us in the trenches and helped form the most significant army in Australian history.

 

heh chicken livng in a country with next to zero social security, with a minimum wage that hasn't increased for over 30years and where almost 1/3 of the population dosn't speak the official language, no thanks

For me it would be the close nabours of either sweden or norway.

 

Depends... I generally respect countries, flags, anthems. If you mean something special among others, there are many I'd like to mention here but can't for certain reasons. I respect France for the history and mystique, but 14th July is not a day of celebration for me... more like a day of mourning on 1st Jan. I respect a lot in German history, including some post-WW2 stuff, but there are things I don't find agreeable - and this is not just WW1-2. I respect the USA a whole lot (yes, yes), but I have a hard time with some of its policies as well as the execution on some levels - for example, I can't respect the abuse of rights by the army, police and prison service on so many occasions, or the lying at the top, or jurisdiction claims of their courts - even more so, the many rogue lawyers who don't exactly sequuntur forum rei or the overgrown ties between politics and business. I tend to respect the smaller or even smallest countries for staying independent and building a strong community. Hello, Belgium, Luxemburg and all of you. Maybe Japan for history and tradition, except I'm no fan of Japanese imperialism up until WW2, or some social-structure-related things. Honourary mention goes to Finland for pwning the USSR a bit... kudos to Mannerheim. But if you want me to name a country or five I respect without finding a reason to nod my head and sigh a bit... that's going to be difficult. And no, I don't see my own as perfect and spotless in case you wonder.

A propos English history, it's never been full outside conquest. For example, Harthaknut or however you choose to spell him, had to enter into arrangements and liaisons with powerful local nobles such as Earl Godwin. Duke William had a claim on the throne based on King Edward the Confessor's promise. His wife Matilde was descended from Alfred the Great, as well as his ally Eustace de Boulogne who ceded the claim in exchange for some lands. Powerful Saxon nobles of the North probably required as much diplomacy as pure strength to handle. In short, it was meddling with internal matters and pushing a somewhat grounded claim rather than a typical invasion. That Saxon nobles were quite soon reduced to simple knights or armigers or maybe even lower is another thing.

[ December 01, 2006, 13:01: Message edited by: chevalier ]

 

Greece. And I would be hard pressed to explain why. A country - in the now or in the past - and its people which inspire longing and adoration deep inside where there are no words.

While I could never fit in (we are worlds apart) they do have a propensity for partying. I find that very relatable. If there is a nation on the third rock I could even *consider* leaving Germany for it would have to be Greece. To be the alien among them, to breath their spirit instead of the exhaustion around here... yes. Perhaps, one day, I shall walk among the daughters and sons of the gods for a little while.

 

I guess the some of the Nordic Countries like Norway or Sweden. Other would be Holland or to a lesser degree England and Italy

 

Respect? Well, wouldn't that depend on what it takes to earn a person's respect? I can think of a lot of countries I would like to visit, several that I am sympathetic with, but no governments that hold a position of respect with me. On the other hand, my Naval experiences have left impressions on me:

Japan -- their Navy has the best seamanship and shiphandling in the world. No other nations even come close to the Japanese shiphandling skills.

The Austrailian Navy doesn't quite have the shiphandling skill of the US Navy, but thet're far more bold and extremely fun to work with (and go ashore with).

The British -- I'm afraid Her Majesty's Royal Navy is not that great. They have the history and REMIND YOU OF IT IN EVERY DAMN MEETING... but I digress. I find their shiphandling skills barely proficient and their damage control is somewhat lacking (anyone remember the Sheffield?).

I really didn't like working with anyone other than the Japanese and Aussies (and, of course, other ships of the US Navy).

 

Haha, I've seen it all now. An American talking about BRITISH military failings. If I had a pound for every time a thick-head yank 'accidentally' killed one of our boys in friendly fire, I'd be a rich man.

We ruled the seas for years and years, hundreds of years before anyone even dreamt up the idea of an American nation. Of course we're going to be proud of that and show it off. Who cares who's the best currently? How many wars are fought at sea nowadays? pml

That made me chuckle that did, I've had a stressful couple of days and needed that!

 

I think you could call me a fan of England. The place has so much history and several famous landmarks. They also helped make Australia and America into the countries they are today.

 

@ The Magister
Is that such a good thing? They may be great countries (or at least Australia is ) but they destroyed the identities of other races just to expand. If you have read the history of the Aboriginal people and how they were/are treated, you would think twice. The Africans who were also enslaved by the British who founded America were also treated extremely poorly.

 

None.

Sorry, but I don't find countries respectable.