Published: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 18:04:54 +0900

We talk a lot in the K-blogosphere about the strong sense of nationalism that runs through Korea and northeast Asia in general, but according to this survey by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, America is in fact the most nationalistic country in world:

People rated how proud they were of their countries in 10 areas: political influence, social security, the way their democracy works, economic success, science and technology, sports, arts and literature, military, history, and fair treatment of all groups in society.

In the U.S., "the two things we rank high on are what we think of as the political or power dimension," said Tom W. Smith, a researcher at the university. "Given that we're the one world superpower, it's not that surprising."

Patriotism is mostly a New World concept, the researchers said. Former colonies and newer nations were more likely to rank high on the list, while Western European, East Asian and former socialist countries usually ranked near the middle or bottom.

The U.S. ranked highest overall and in five categories: pride in its democracy, political influence, economy, science and military. Venezuela ranked highest in four categories: sports, arts and literature, history, and fair treatment of all groups in society.

So where was Korea you may wonder in this survey of 34 countries?* Well towards the bottom believe it or not:

Cultural differences might explain the lower rankings for the three Asian countries on the list ¿ Japan (18th), Taiwan (29th), and Korea (31), Smith said.

"It is both bad luck and poor manners to be boastful about things there," Smith said.

Bad luck and poor manners to be boastful?* Mr. Smith obviously hasn't read as many kimchi stories as I have or experienced a Red Devil World Cup run.* Actually the findings are probably pretty accurate.* As nationalistic as Koreans can be if you look at the criteria the researchers used I can see why Korea rated so low.* Corruptions scandals and the current President Roh Moo-hyun's incompetence have ruined any pride in the government, then in science the Hwang fiasco pretty much ruined any national pride in science, then many Koreans perpetually think the economy is bad even when it isn't, and then because of the "shrimp among whales" philosophy that Koreans are indoctrinated into, which will cause Korea to score lower in national power even though they have stronger political, economic, and military power than most of the countries ranked ahead of them.*

This survey just goes to show that nationalism comes in many forms and in Korea we just tend to see the loud form of nationalism that comes from Korean soccer fans and their ilk which is actually based on little substance when you dig deeper according to this survey.*

Tags: korea, survey, nationalism

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Somehow I find this hard to believe. Would place England, Ireleand, ROK, Japan, and China in the top positions before the US.

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I am not sure if you are serious in this post or just hoping to start something here. I must also preface this response with it is not intended to take a swipe at any one country.

I am not sure where you have been in Amercia. I have seen several flags on display at many homes. We have learned that when you are on the top you always have others who attempt to knock you off. We learned to stand proud to be Americans. The majority also respect other countries.

The nationalistic pride for Korea has never been what I had hoped to see, In fact the 2002 World Cup really elevated the pride higher than I had ever seen. I reallly enjoy Korea and have for over 30 years. In several surveys in the Korean media the lack of nationalistic pride was apparent.

I believe Germany is a very nationalistic country. I have been to some of the other countries you mention and I would not rate any higher than the USA.

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Chill

No I'm not starting anything. Starting something would be on the line of that joker on another thread who appears to cut-n-paste his/her thoughts instead of actually using thought and pounding out a statement. But that's another topic. If displaying a flag is national pride, then my neighbor must have triple citizenship. No I'm amazed the US is #1 on the list. Having traveled and lived in others countries, I don't see that same results has the survey. That's nice if it's true, believable? Since 2004? Who knows. Maybe down south there more flags, but the flag thing from what I've seen in the north, west and east are minimal at best. Survey of a certain number of participants doesn't equal the whole, it's a calculated guest based on certain indicators. Maybe the survey will make to the evening news and actually get a plug. Who know.

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No wonder I was feeling like I was in Wonderland . It was published in 2001. The sample size was slightly over 28k. Now I understand why we placed #1.

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The average poll samples 1,000 people and is just as accurate as if you sampled 1 million people. The one thing I learned in my college statistics class is that statistics are VERY accurate regardless of the sample size (to a point). Most of the respected polls were withing 1% point of predicting the 2004 Presidential election or over 50 million people. Polls can be very accurate!

I would say that has little to do with it. I doubt much has changed since 2001. I agree with Hiker, you will see more American flags on homes compared to any other country in the world. I wonder how many other countries do the pledge of allegiance. Also, how many other countries feel they are a superpower and their country is the best? This is why other countries call us arrogant.

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U of C would have there act together and wouldn't fall into that 75% catagory. Accurate to a point? There's alot of variables that could come in to play. The 28k was worldwide. I'll still stick by my statement regarding displaying a flag. I'd like to see this survey performed again and compare results. If it's the same, I'll stand corrected. The only thing that survey proves is that the designers were able to support their hypothesis during their experiment. External validity is still a negative factor in any survey.

Superpower simple means a powerful state. While we are definately in that catagory, so is China eventhough the political rheotoric hasn't caught up yet.

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In a recent rally in DC there were an estimated 600,000 bikers who rode through the area to support the veterans and soldiers who are currently serving. An individual I knew made a comment that he had no idea bikers were that patriotic. These individuals were from all over the US as well as Canada. The vast majority were riding Harley's. Although they were in the area for the entire weekend they gathered at the Pentagon and rode across Memorial Bridge. At the end of the ride was a Marine standing saluting the riders as they crossed. In front of the Marine was a soldiers boots,M16, and an American flag. I am not sure what part of the USA you have been to. It must have been one of the larger cites that claims to be liberal and do not consider why they are able to enjoy the life they have. This is the wrong forum to claim Americans are not patriotic. If allowed I believe there would be 600,000+ who would be willing to put the uniform back on for their country if asked. I would be the first.

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Chill

A rally is a planned event so why would there not be any American flags at this function much less a show of supoort? Planned verses unplanned. 600k estimated. That's good, but what did they did after the rally? Are the flags still in place or in storage? Thanks for the information. Did this get covered by any media?

Truly amazing. At what point did I state this? Merely finding some it hard to believe that the US ihas the #1 ranking in this survey isn't saying we aren't patriotic. If I don't agree with that survey, then I'm not patriotic in your mind?
At least if you're going to pull a Joseph McCarthy on someone, read everything completely first. Truly amazing.

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Joesph McCarthy too funny.

Your comments on finding Korea to be more patriotic than Americans was a little too much for me. Especially having more than 30 years experience in Korean culture.



I am not sure what the implication is here;
A rally is a planned event so why would there not be any American flags at this function much less a show of supoort?

I guess the KKK has American several American flags on display at their rally’s also. How about the radical student groups in Korea. The only flag we see them with is the American flag and they are usually desecrating it. A few years ago a group was protesting nK and lit up a nKorean flag. They were quickly arrested. When they burn an American flag it was okay though.

I have never seen 600,000 people attend a nationalistic rally in Korea. They came close in 2002 though with be the reds. This 600,000 meets annually in DC to honor the veterans on Memorial weekend. You should plan to attend an event.

There are several flags on display in Washington DC the nations capital.

"we aren't patriotic."

You use the term "we". I presume you are claiming to be an American? <LOL> If you are an American, it is easy to understand why you have not seen patriotism in America. You stated this is what you have experienced bc you have lived in these other countries. Do you really think you are the only one who has lived in more than one foreign country that post in this forum?

I am hoping no one has misconstrued my responses. I really enjoy Korea, and have always admired the advances they made over the years. I get a little po when someone claims Americans are less patriotic than others. This is a fallacy.




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Chill