Yesterday, Lova Rakotomala from Madagascar sent an email to the internal Global Voices mailing list pointing out a new reader survey by The Economist to nominate the “best country in the world”. He suggested we (Global Voices bloggers and readers) should submit countries that are usually left out of this kind of ranking. While The Economist have already unilaterally decided that Somalia is “the worst country on Earth”, it seems they are still entertaining a conversation about who should be nominated as “the best”.
Then we thought: “The Economist doesn't know everything!” Few of us love countries based on stability, wealth, global fame or any of the metrics such a publication is fond of. So, dear readers: please nominate below who you think is the best country and why. Whoever offers the best reason (as unilaterally decided by our jury) will win a Putumayo CD of African Reggae. I will mail it myself!
57 comments
It’s a shame none of you probably had the opportunity to visit Atlantis before it sank into the ocean. It really rocked.
Was it as nice as Utopia? I nominate Utopia, even though some people will counter it’s a terribly boring place.
Indeed. And I’m one of those some people. I dated a Utopian woman once. Easily my most boring relationship ever. Okay, so we never argued, but life in the sack was snoozeville. In fact, sometimes I couldn’t tell the difference between her (Ms. Utopia) and an actual sack.
Atlantis girls now, they’ll tear your eyes out for the slightest thing (and I mean that literally—just ask my friend One-eye Joe), but they sure do know how to show a dude a good time.
It’s also a little known fact that Atlantis had universal health care way before any other country.
LOL!! Utopia is out of reach, and would need its own Economist survey.
I love GV! This type of global humor for Global Citizens cant be found anywhere.
I’m voting for Brazil. The perfect mix between tradition and modernization. The people are good souled, and beautiful looking, and the scenery is as beautiful as the skylines of Sao Paolo.
Passing by to leave the second vote to Brazil too – Let’s face it – if even God was a Brazilian that’s got to be the best place on Earth!
Brazil!!! A man on a beach in Brazil once told me that everyone who sets foot on Brazilian soil falls in love with the country but once you drink the water you never want to leave. I haven’t been to Brazil in 12 years but I think about it every day!!
I vote for Puerto Rico: gorgeous beaches, delicious coffee, awesome people, exquisite rice and beans, and, of course, beautiful cobblestone streets, vibrant colors, balconies full of flowers, and squares bustling with people in Old San Juan, my lovely city by the sea.
I would nominate the Principality of Sealand just for the concept. I have no interested in visiting it, though.
My daughter Marina also wants to vote. She votes for…Puerto Rico! Why? I ask. She says: because its a great place to go, although its hot, its pretty, its amazing, and the beaches are warm in the summer. “When I walk through the streets I feel that its pretty amazing that this place is my home,” Marina says.
Marina is awesome ;)
Thanks Jillian! :)
Oh! Marina is 9 years old.
I nominate USA because we invented freedom and because nobody can do it better than US(A)!
I would nominate Myanmar/Burma. :) Though some people in the West thinks that it’s not so different from North Korea, those who have visited Myanmar will say it otherwise. But if you would like to know what it’s like not to have electricity regularly, you can come visit and see! =P Ok. jokes aside.
1. A country with many diversity of ethnicity. There’s supposedly more than 100 ethnic groups residing in Myanmar.
2. A country which has snow-capped mountains in the north, ancient cities in central region, and unspoiled beaches to the south.
3. As a Theravada Buddhist country, you would see many temples and pagodas all across the country. Myanmar is notable for its Shwedagon Pagoda, and stupas of Bagan.
4. There are not many sky-scrapers, and the air is still clean, without pollution.
5. We have a unique writing system, with 33 alphabets.
6. Probably one of the few countries in the world where you won’t see a McDonald. (I love McDonalds though!)
7. Inle Lake in Shan State, where people live in houses in the lake, and row boats with their feet.
8. Exotic cuisines as a result of being a country wedged between China and India.
Even with its military dictators, suppressed basic human rights, lack of electricity, and etc. I think that my country is still the best in the world. :)
I totally agree with you, and I’ll add something that I think is fundamental. Reflecting on the many different values that people can consider choosing “the best country”, Burma is the country of a population that could stand years of impositions, social oppressions, killings and lack of freedom always choosing to answer with peace, serenity and love, standing deprivations without choosing war. They do not only deserve my help and admiration, but also my will to learn from them and for sure my vote as best country in the world.
I know the worst country-See:
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2144&Itemid=178-
Taiwan, for everything.