Summary

The article argues that no country is inherently the worst or the best, as these are subjective opinions influenced by personal experiences and values, and that every nation has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Abstract

The article "The Worst Country in the World Doesn't Exist" posits that labeling any country as the worst is an unfair generalization. It emphasizes that every country has its merits and that what one person may consider better may not align with another's perspective. The author uses examples such as North Korea and Japan to illustrate that opinions on countries are highly subjective and can vary greatly depending on individual values and experiences. The article also addresses the issue of people mistaking their opinions for facts, particularly when it comes to countries they dislike or favor. It suggests that instead of arguing about which country is the best or worst, individuals should focus on contributing to the improvement of their own countries. The author concludes by urging readers to recognize that change starts on an individual level, advocating for personal growth and action against societal issues such as racism and sexism.

Opinions

The author believes that every country has both positive aspects and drawbacks, and it is wrong to label any country as the worst or the best.
It is highlighted that personal opinions about a country are not facts and should not be presented as such.
The author criticizes the tendency to generalize about countries based on limited experiences or preconceived notions, using the example of a friend who disliked South Korea and expressed an extreme opinion after a negative experience.
The article suggests that individuals should work on improving themselves and their immediate surroundings before trying to convince others of their subjective views on countries.
The author points out that global issues such as racism and sexism are prevalent everywhere and that addressing these problems is crucial for the betterment of all countries.
It is emphasized that change in society requires both individual action and larger systemic efforts, and that one should not wait for government intervention to start making a difference.

The Worst Country in the World Doesn't Exist

And we should be happy about that

If you want to make me angry, tell me that a certain country is the worst. It’s not true and you know it.

Every single country on earth has its own advantages. Some have “better” ones, but it doesn’t mean the others are plain awful. It doesn’t even mean that what you consider better is, indeed, better for everybody.

If you think your country is the worst, you’re wrong. If you think it’s the best, you’re also wrong. Wherever you live, your country is just okay. Nothing more nor less.

Sure, some are objectively worse off. North Korea is definitely not a place any of us would like to live in. But what about Kim Jong-Un? I’m pretty sure he loves it. It depends on who’s giving the opinion.

A bit too extreme an example?

Then how about Japan? Seems quite awesome, right? What about the underlying racism towards foreigners, the following of rules even when they stop making sense, or even the fact that tattoos are still forbidden in the vast majority of Japan?

I could cite country after country to prove my point but let’s not waste time on that.

Your Opinion is Not a Fact

One of my high school friends got stuck in quarantine for 14 days in Korea for work recently. In a hotel room, forbidden from even stepping a foot outside and with military surveilling the hotel, he felt his pretty rights were trampled. He already disliked Korea — for reasons I find stupid — but this time he went a step further:

“What a shitty country this is!”

That was the last straw I could take. No. South Korea is not a shitty country. No, it’s not even a “bad” country. It’s a country with its perks and drawbacks. That’s a fact.

He dislikes the country. That’s an opinion and, as such, doesn’t even compete in the same league.

I can understand someone who says they dislike a country. Based on the little I know currently, I dislike Vietnam, Spain, the US, and many other countries. I lived in Spain for 6 months and still enjoyed it somehow. I loved my trip to the US in 2016 and the people from the US I’ve met in my life. I’ve met some great Vietnamese people in my life but, as countries, I’m not a big “fan”.

If you are, awesome. Enjoy them. Maybe even try to show me why they are better than I think. But if you try to convince me they’re the best, I’ll have to disagree again. They may be the best for you, but that’s a different story again.

Anywhere Can Be Better

I’ve always seen Sweden and Norway as magnificent countries where everything was close to perfect. But look at Sweden now. It is ranked second in global per-capita infections for the Covid-19 due to the fact that the government never imposed any form of lockdown. Apart from this, the country has also seen a rise in racist and xenophobic hate speech in recent years. So much for its paradisiacal environment, right?

What’s been known and ignored for years is now growing in every corner of the world. From environmental causes to sexism and racism, the world is finally acting. Thanks to this, every country will become better. Every country will react differently but the overall total will only get better with time and voices.

Of course, what sparked everything this time was George Floyd’s death, but it wasn’t the beginning nor should it be the end. Yet, waiting for a change in the government’s actions won’t be enough.

What are you supposed to do in case of an emergency in a plane? Set your own mask before you help others. So take a look at yourself too. Maybe you’re a victim of racism the vast majority of the time, but I can assure you that you’ve acted racist towards someone else in the past too. Start by working small, within and around you, while you keep pushing for bigger changes too.

Every country has its own advantages and disadvantages. It doesn’t mean we should take them for granted. It doesn’t mean we should complain without acting. It doesn’t mean any country is better or worse in an objective way.

If you hate a country, you have the right to do so. If you love another, you also have the right to do so. You even have the right to give your opinion. But the moment you change that opinion into a “fact”, you’ll find me ready to fight you head-on.

If you don’t plan on contributing to improve a country you consider “bad”, then you lose all rights to try to convince anybody. If you do plan on helping, then do so and talk later.