Which among these: Australia, Canada, United States, New Zealand would you say is most liberal? How would you rank them? (minimum wage, cost of living)

[Richard1098]

Originally Posted by mateo45

Hey, if "bad is bad", then always making the excuse that "others do it too" is frankly pretty lame, regardless. So another possibility to consider, is that all that (perceived) "deflection" and general defensiveness about the subject might also be the reason folks keep saying things like that about Australia in the first place. Especially considering that Australian culture ain't exactly famous for its "introspection"?!

At least compared to other extremes like the U.S., which almost makes a national obsession out of 'navel gazing' and public 'self-analysis' (…lol)!

Well, if people in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts" have an incomplete perspective on Australia, it's hardly our fault. But stress not, its not something we lie awake at night worrying about.

Australia can be very introspective and self examining when it wants to be: endless debates about our response to the people smuggling cartels, the never ending debate about how to bridge the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, what it means to be "Australian". Add to that countless movies about Australian historical events and themes, TV shows like "Australian story" or the "Australian fiction" and "Australian non-fiction/Australiana" sections that are often the biggest in many book stores.

[artemis agrotera]

Originally Posted by mateo45

Hey, if "bad is bad", then always making the excuse that "others do it too" is frankly pretty lame, regardless. So another possibility to consider, is that all that (perceived) "deflection" and general defensiveness about the subject might also be the reason folks keep saying things like that about Australia in the first place. Especially considering that Australian culture ain't exactly famous for its "introspection"?!

At least compared to other extremes like the U.S., which almost makes a national obsession out of 'navel gazing' and public 'self-analysis' (…lol)!

There are issues here - of course - there are elements of racism, or as recently discussed nationally - casual racism
Is Australia racist as a whole? No, I don't believe it is.

I've read stories of Sikh temples being burnt down. People pushed in front of trains for looking Muslim. These did not occur here. These are examples of racism.

Are we sexist? More than say US? I don't know. But we have elected a female leader. And and a female Governor General

Another outdated stereotype. Lacking introspection?
What are you basing that on, exactly?

[sithmaster99]

Most Liberal

1. Canada
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. USA

[sithmaster99]

Originally Posted by kanhawk

Liberal in terms of having the most economic freedom in the world:
Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

3. Australia
5. New Zealand
6. Canada
12. United States

Why does the US have to be so low down? (sniff sniff)

[svedski]

Australia is the most liberal, US is the least.

[The Postman]

Originally Posted by svedski

Australia is the most liberal, US is the least.

How is Aus more liberal than NZ or Canada? Can't think of any way we're more liberal than them.

[P London]

Originally Posted by svedski

australia is the most liberal, us is the least.

lol...

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Richard1098

Well, if people in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts" have an incomplete perspective on Australia, it's hardly our fault. But stress not, its not something we lie awake at night worrying about.

Australia can be very introspective and self examining when it wants to be: endless debates about our response to the people smuggling cartels, the never ending debate about how to bridge the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, what it means to be "Australian". Add to that countless movies about Australian historical events and themes, TV shows like "Australian story" or the "Australian fiction" and "Australian non-fiction/Australiana" sections that are often the biggest in many book stores.

Canadians do this soul-searching too, minus the intensive consumption of homegrown cultural products that feed the debate in other countries.

So it's so sort of an odd juxtaposition of a quest for Canadian identity amidst a public sphere dominated by stuff like interest for documentaries on the American Civil War, Saturday Night Live or the Super Bowl.

[Joe90]

Originally Posted by sithmaster99

Why does the US have to be so low down? (sniff sniff)

I don't really see the US as less liberal, just more conservative - due to the death penalty.

Other than that, all four countries seem much of a muchness to me. Some more liberal in one thing, while others are more liberal in another.

The US is rapidly becoming more liberal on pot though. I'll tip my hat to them for that.

[BMI]

Don't really know for sure but my guess would be....

1. Canada
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. USA