What makes a nation truly great?
If greatness is measured in terms of the peoples' happiness, then we are the third greatest nation in the world, next only to Fiji and Colombia. Imagine, we are greater than the US, China, Russia, and Japan.
But, if greatness is to be measured in terms of economic development and per capita income, then the greatest nations are the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland) and Singapore. That is the judgment of the World Economic Forum, which measures about 200 countries every year, based on 12 pillars of the so-called Global Competitiveness Index. If greatness is to be measured in terms of military might, then the USA and Russia are perhaps the strongest. If greatness is to be measured in terms of population, then China and India should be the runaway winners with populations of over a billion each, that is a million people multiplied a thousand times.
But greatness is much more than that. It should be economic progress balanced by social development, a strong government with people assured of their human freedom and individual rights. It is national security respected by neighboring countries, territories that are protected by international law and honored by the family of nations. It is also a nation held together by a strong unity among diverse people, bound by a common purpose, led by competent but gentle leaders who have the vision and the will to do what is right even if it is unpopular. It is also composed of citizens who have respect for the law and the authorities, people who do not exceed the bounds of their freedom. It is a nation where the peoples' freedom is balanced by an abiding sense of responsibility.
A great nation has a strong tradition of integrity and civility, good customs that mark the character of a people, and long-held beliefs that uphold the sanctity of life, the importance and uniqueness of each individual while adhering to the need for unity and community. A nation that values its history and continues to honor its heroes, take pride in the gallantry of its ancestors, the beauty of its geography, and excellence of its peoples' achievements. A great nation puts God in the center of national life while respecting individual religions and beliefs. A great nation values its historical relics, national shrines, and monuments of greatness and courage.
A great nation is respected in the international family of countries for the excellence of its human capital more than the magnitude of its economic progress and military might. It is looked up to for its beautiful arts and music, its foods and delicacies, its festivals and celebrations. A great nation has a certain soul, an exceptional character that sets it apart from all the rest. At the end of the day, to my mind, the greatness of a nation is measured more on the happiness of its people than on the wealth of its national treasury. Greatness is not about how strong a nation is.
What matters most is whether the people in that nation are really happy and proud to be there.
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