Rohit
23rd May 2009 |
Very surprised to see that only 23% Japanese will fight for their country. |
Jonas (Sweden)
23rd October 2008 |
I think one reason for the high ranking of the scandinavian countries is that we are very convinced that our countries never would participate in starting a war. And since we experience a relativitely high standard of living we think that there is something worth defending.
As for MG's comment. Sweden had (and still has) a policy of neutrality when it comes to international conflicts, this has worked well for the last 200 years. During WW2 Sweden accepted all of Norway's and Denmark's jewish fugitives preventing them from deportation. This may seem cowardly but seeing that germany had superior military strenght that might have been the best option. |
Ilmari (Finland)
27th November 2007 |
To Golosha:
I think it means the latter. I have answered those polls and they always ask in finnish "Would you defend your country by fighting"
I think it all comes down to the fact that Nordic countries are liberal, just and people are happy to live there. Our countries are worth fighting for. Not just the land but culture and language.
Russia attacked Finland in response to Hitlers attack to Poland. Finland fought, of course even that it seemed desperate.
Other Russian neighbors didn't and they became Soviet satellite countries.
In the Winter War we didn't receive much help from other countries and that is the reason finns don't trust foreign help when it really counts. E.g. We are not members of NATO and one reason is that we don't want to go fighting wars we don't believe in and USA is strong in making those decisions. |
Golosha (Canada)
21st November 2007 |
What the heck does "fight for your country" mean?
Does it mean like the U.S. and Iraq, where if the government says "GO FIGHT!" they do it blindly?
Or do they mean like Poland and WW2, "We will be inevitably crushed, but will you still fight?". |
Ilmari (Finland)
11th November 2007 |
I understand it as fighting to defend and I believe the Nordic countries would ONLY fight in it was a war of defence. If the government was being an ass and attack for oil, I'd move to sweden or russia. |
Holme (DK)
1st July 2006 |
Being a Dane, my experience is right about the same as Tomas. Most Scandinavians would fight to defend their country. I know I would.
I think it's because most Scandinavians love the Nordic system, where you are free to do almost anything as long as you don't hurt other people, and you never go to bed worrying about how to survive the next day.
But I must agree with Jim's methodical criticism of the survey. |
Mr D
21st February 2006 |
Sweden was neutral and still is... so was Denmark until Germany occupied us, now we kick ass around the world..
I think this prove us Scandinavians still have some lovely Viking blood left :) |
Tomas
17th January 2006 |
Bolivia, the country that also didn't fight in WW2 and surrendered to Paraguay around that time?
I'm not from Scandinavia, but I do live here, Most Scandinavians i've met would certainly fight for their country, but are very reluctant to get involved in fights that do not concern them.
No surprise from the Finns though, when a country that small takes on Russia and wins you have to wonder about how crazy they are. |
MG
21st October 2005 |
Sweden!!!! You gotta be kidding. They sold out during the WWII. There is a saying in Bolivia: Cowardly like a Swede.
Need to redo this poll, me thinks! |
Jan
5th October 2005 |
It's also interesting to see the effect ww2 still has on the Germans (indicated by the somewhat low number) |
Foobar
29th August 2005 |
Another problem with the question is whether you are fighting for the country, or for the government of the country. |
David Gealikman
22nd August 2005 |
This survey was obiously given only to western countries, I think many militarist third world countries would have higher percentages |
Holly
8th July 2005 |
WHere do Iraq come - or can't you ask them or they will fight you? |
Theresa
3rd July 2005 |
My concern is this: There are certain countries that always seem to be involved in conflicts-it has to be easier to say "one may fight for their country" if they have never seen their actual country in war. |
Rob Kay
10th April 2005 |
The question should probably ask: "Would you fight for your country right or wrong!" That's the only true test of a real patriot - the real patriot would never fight in an unjust war, he/she would resist his own government. |
Jim
2nd February 2005 |
This not include details.They would fight to defend, but not to attack another? Or just would fight for in general? |
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