What is the most ADVANCED nation in the world today? (credit card, living)

[Colts]

The Scandinavian nations. (liberal)

[Otaku]

I can't believe China did not come close behind the USA, even though I voted for the USA. Also, I'm kind of appalled that Japan got only 7 fewer votes than the USA. A few years ago, China's GDP surpassed that of Japan, and may match America's in the next decade. Moreover, Japan's national debt is twice that of America's, in terms of the debt-to-GDP ratio. The recent trend of record profit loss in the major Japanese technological companies such as Sony serves as a testament to the fact that Japan probably has lots its competitive advantage in research and development. China, on the other hand, has sent out its first female astronaut to space.

I'm also shocked that there hasn't been a worthwhile amount of votes for India and Brazil, since I think that those two countries will bloom after China has reached its economic climax in a few years.

For me at least, I base my vote heavily on future projections and current trends with statistics dealing with demographical, financial and economic trends.

[cali3448893]

Luxembourg is the richest which could make it the most advanced.

[the troubadour]

On top of its game to me means countries where the inhabitants may live decent lives regardless of wealth. This would include care of the ill and elderly ....and lives not built purely around the pursuit of self enrichment.
These nations as well provive top quality services in transport,in desisgn, products, etc....

In no particular order

Norway
Sweden
Germany
Netherlands
Finland
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Denmark
France

[Rationalism]

I would say a three way tie between Japan, Germany and the US. Though even though the US technically has a higher GDP per capita than the other two, the wealth is heavily skewed to outliers (the rich)...and this is accelerating. Though personally the most annoying for me about living in the US simply that huge %'s of this country think that scientific facts are fairy tales.

I had to vote for Japan overall due to these factors:

1. Wealth. Despite having absolutely no natural resources (no significant agriculture, minerals, oil..anything) it is one of the wealthiest nations in the world...and believe it or not GDP per capita in Japan has outperformed the US the last 10 years..and the Entire EU the last 20 years. Many people forget Japan's population is stagnant..so 1% growth might seem small but it's actually not at a per capita level.

2. Income Equality. Wealth in Japan is not skewed to the rich and is more evenly spread throughout the population. Despite having a GDP per capita of $45,920 (only around $2,000 less than the USA) it only has 2 billionaires per 10 million inhabitants vs the US which has 13.2. On top of this there is universal healthcare (which is far superior to obamacare) with the lowest costs in the world...and the people are healthier and more equal because of it.

3. Rational/scientific. They are rational with one of the highest agnostic-atheist %'s in the world, and the overwhelming majority of the people believe in the scientific method and do not reject scientific facts (Evolution). As a result of this Japan yearly is granted more patents than the USA. Yes a country with less than half the population is granted more patents.

4. Crime and cleanliness. Japan simply has the lowest crime rate in the world. It has a murder rate of .34 per 100,000 vs 4.8 in the US. So far I haven't seen a single nation cleaner than Japan...Sweden came close though.

5. Food. Many people think that since Japan is largely homogenous that there is no variability there in culture. This could not be more wrong...and the french michelin guide has validated this. Japan has the most stars in the world...and a high amount of those stars are non-japanese cuisine..run by japanese. This challenges the notion that you need italians to have good italian food. But the main reason I prefer Japan is not because of some silly expensive fancy michelin stars...but simply the food is generally healthier there and has less preservatives like here in the states.

6. Infrastructure. I suppose this is what Japan is the most famous for...not only are there subways everywhere there is above ground rapid transit, monorails, high speed rail, light rail, buses, highways, massive airports etc.

Now I like Germany for essentially all the same reasons above, the only reason I choose Japan over Germany is mostly due to the infrastructure and food.

Now don't get me wrong I do not think Japan is the best place to live, I would probably give that to Sweden. The reason why I don't consider Scandinavian nations is I am mostly comparing the largest economies in the world that have a large scientific and investment influence in the world. And out of the biggest (say top 10 economies) Japan, Germany and the US stand out. The US..simply because it has the largest economy in the world.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

We all know that different nations excel at different qualities. But which nation would you choose as being the most advanced in the world based on a wide range of criteria - including social, political, economic, scientific, cultural, esthetic and other qualities?

Select as many nations as you like which fit the bill. Please explain your choices.

Switzerland (along with Japan). It's advanced in science and technology, has the highest standard of living in the world (along with Sweden), is politically neutral, so doesn't start wars and waste money on the military, therefore it has a strong economy and strong social services/safety net. It's pretty egalitarian, meaning no class polarization, no marginalized populations or extreme poverty. The scenery is breathtaking.

[yowps3]

Originally Posted by Rationalism

I would say a three way tie between Japan, Germany and the US. Though even though the US technically has a higher GDP per capita than the other two, the wealth is heavily skewed to outliers (the rich)...and this is accelerating. Though personally the most annoying for me about living in the US simply that huge %'s of this country think that scientific facts are fairy tales.

I had to vote for Japan overall due to these factors:

1. Wealth. Despite having absolutely no natural resources (no significant agriculture, minerals, oil..anything) it is one of the wealthiest nations in the world...and believe it or not GDP per capita in Japan has outperformed the US the last 10 years..and the Entire EU the last 20 years. Many people forget Japan's population is stagnant..so 1% growth might seem small but it's actually not at a per capita level.

2. Income Equality. Wealth in Japan is not skewed to the rich and is more evenly spread throughout the population. Despite having a GDP per capita of $45,920 (only around $2,000 less than the USA) it only has 2 billionaires per 10 million inhabitants vs the US which has 13.2. On top of this there is universal healthcare (which is far superior to obamacare) with the lowest costs in the world...and the people are healthier and more equal because of it.

3. Rational/scientific. They are rational with one of the highest agnostic-atheist %'s in the world, and the overwhelming majority of the people believe in the scientific method and do not reject scientific facts (Evolution). As a result of this Japan yearly is granted more patents than the USA. Yes a country with less than half the population is granted more patents.

4. Crime and cleanliness. Japan simply has the lowest crime rate in the world. It has a murder rate of .34 per 100,000 vs 4.8 in the US. So far I haven't seen a single nation cleaner than Japan...Sweden came close though.

5. Food. Many people think that since Japan is largely homogenous that there is no variability there in culture. This could not be more wrong...and the french michelin guide has validated this. Japan has the most stars in the world...and a high amount of those stars are non-japanese cuisine..run by japanese. This challenges the notion that you need italians to have good italian food. But the main reason I prefer Japan is not because of some silly expensive fancy michelin stars...but simply the food is generally healthier there and has less preservatives like here in the states.

6. Infrastructure. I suppose this is what Japan is the most famous for...not only are there subways everywhere there is above ground rapid transit, monorails, high speed rail, light rail, buses, highways, massive airports etc.

Now I like Germany for essentially all the same reasons above, the only reason I choose Japan over Germany is mostly due to the infrastructure and food.

Now don't get me wrong I do not think Japan is the best place to live, I would probably give that to Sweden. The reason why I don't consider Scandinavian nations is I am mostly comparing the largest economies in the world that have a large scientific and investment influence in the world. And out of the biggest (say top 10 economies) Japan, Germany and the US stand out. The US..simply because it has the largest economy in the world.

Very well put together..

[imokay]

The only advanced thing about the US is diabetes.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

It's still us, the US, and hopefully will be like that for a while.

What makes you say that? Other than having a space program, what do you have that other first world countries don't? Im just curious?

[glass_of_merlot]

I think The USA used to be the most developed country but not anymore. Just beacuse you are the most powerful country does not make you the most advanced. My parents when they come visit me can't belive how much The USA is behind in many areas involving just our every day living.

In Sweden for instance, almost everything is computerized. My parents dont remember last time they had to pay a bill any other way than electronicly, and they are in their late 60's. When I told my dad people still pay for stuff, grocerys, bills etc with checks or cash he oculdn't belive it. It was so strange to him.
Most of us had cellphones in the mid 90s as well as internet.
There are so many small little things that might be nothing to, you but to me thats plays a huge roll in how developed a country really is.