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If you had to come up with a list of characteristics of successful nations, what would they be? Based these off your knowledge of successful civilizations from history or from theory. For example, 1) a strong military and 2) a strong economy are two (rather broad) characteristics, but perhaps you can go deeper than this. What kind of economy leads to the most successful nation?My hope is that we can create a theoretical nation from scratch which would outlast other nations based on design.
geographical location, intelligent leadership, moral absolutes
Anything more specific? What kind of geography? What does "intelligent leadership" mean?
Strong work ethic, a flexible and enduring legal code, a humble and honest populace, emphasis on the family, and universal resolve to defend the homeland.
a flexible and enduring legal code
Seems kind of like an oxymoron if you ask me. But I think I know what you're getting at. In light of what Ski said, a legal code which preserves certain moral absolutes while being open to adaptation in more regulatory matters.
Seems kind of like an oxymoron if you ask me. But I think I know what you're getting at. In light of what Ski said, a legal code which preserves certain moral absolutes while being open to adaptation in more regulatory matters.
and you nned inteeligent people to do that. ;D
Anything more specific? What kind of geography?
Land that's easily defendable and able to sustain it's population.
An intelligent population that figured out it is healthier to drink upstream and pee downstream, that is willing to innovate technologically, and has a strong moral code. Luck too. Not being debilitated by plague or disease at the time an invading army approaches.
Ok, so here are some of my thoughts for a good design of a nation:1) Geography/topography - largely non-montaneous, fertile land suitable for agriculture with access to one or more coasts, and with major inland river/channel2) Economy - free market; unions discouraged3) Economic sectors - roughly 20% agricultural, 50% manufacturing, 30% service4) Political - benevolent constitutional dictatorship; absolutes clearly and concisely defined in the constitution5) Religion - Christianity predominant, though practice not enforced or required for citizenship6) Education - strong cultural promotion of education
That's a good point. Notice I didn't say “strong promotion by the state” of education. What I meant is that successful nations have a deeply-ingrained sense that people are expected to study hard and learn the basics (I didn't mean that “culture” is the thing that is promoted). I can't imagine a society being highly successful without having an educated populace. Despite the vast sums of money spent on education in the U.S., I think the populace is probably becoming less educated over time.
