Psychology of Nations?

I don't find that in Wales, but I do in England, especially Southern England where if you say hello they think you're an axe murderer or something..

I can't say I'm a massive Starkey fan, certainly not of his politics, which I think sometimes bleed into his interpretations of history, like his interpretations are very establishment and male orrientated. He once said that he didn't like social history and it was all to do with the number of female historians! I think his sort of history can put a lot of people off, it's to much like school, whereas people are interested in the history of ordinary people, like themselves.

Many people do believe we have a foundation document in the Magna Carta, not realising that it's not been.law for over 100 years and previously was in and out like a fiddlers elbow. Parliament does make law, not all are from precedent. I'd also dispute that with the first past the post system we all get a say, if the party we voted for dosen't get elected we're expected to shut up for the next five years. We also don't have a constitution, we have a muddly pile of habits and customs with more things implied than real. Personally I'd like to have a proper constitution.

I've never been to the southern med.

I'm not well travelled either, to be honest. The Mediterranean countries I've been to are gorgeous, and I love to visit them, but there's something about the way they interact socially that's difficult for me to fit into. I suspect those places are harder work for those of us who are unemotional and reserved. Even within Britain I find England quite a lot more congenial than Wales, where I'm from. The English keep a certain distance from strangers and mind their own business, while also being totally approachable. In Wales you're much more likely to find someone you don't know being spontaneously chatty to you and taking offence if you don't respond in the way they expect. It's more like southern Europe in that respect.

You're right about conformity in some Asian countries, that certainly doesn't come naturally to Brits. I'm a big fan of the historian David Starkey (who, incidentally, thinks he is probably autistic) and he's great at spelling out the uniqueness of the British constitution, where everyone has had a representative in Parliament since time immemorial, whether you like them or not, and decisions taken in Parliament are therefore respected even when individuals disagree. Likewise, our law works bottom-up, with cases making precedents that form the law, rather than it being dictated top-down from some foundational document. This is all highly unusual in a global context, even a European context, and I'm sure it is both a product of and a factor in our national character. 

Thank you for your reply Richy, at least someone gets what I'm talking about!

It's interesting that you find yourself more comfortable here than other countries, I'm not well travelled myself,  have met many people who travel here from different countries.

I think us Brits are far less compliant than many other nations, I couldn't see us standing for the sort conformity that some Asian countries go for.

I think there are psychological traits that are more common in one nation than another. This is based on my personal experience, nothing more. I find the English to be phlegmatic, fair minded and resilient. I am not English myself, but I am far more comfortable in England than anywhere else I've been. 

Yeah, whatever!

pietro_21 said:

Ok sorry

There is no apology needed.

People can respond in any way they want in threads.

Not being controlled = interesting. 

Ok sorry  

TheCatWoman said:

Do you think different countries have different psychologies?

No.

The people who make up countries and nations have similar psychologies. Culture influences how ‘psychologies’ are expressed.

Americans also envy the successful; but, rather than seeking to put them in their place or minimise their achievements, seem to prefer to try to emulate or laud them. I'm not entirely convinced that it is a superior moral characteristic. Failed ambition must really sting in a society where the belief that you can achieve anything you really want to achieve is a reality.

That's not at all what I was meaning Pietro, I wasn't talking about popularism or politics, but about the more subtle ways our national psyche manifests

Everyone wants to live in Britain. I have had Americans tell me so. But Britain is always on the backfoot. People are perceived as somewhat conservative but the reality for most middle and lower classes that we are constantly defending ourselves from social attack. There is this joke cartoon which Andy Warhol made with a English medieval castle under attack and a speech bubble saying why are we always being invaded?! It’s the reality that we are already at war even when we are not. I’d say there is a lot of anger from people who really struggle and see that taken by people with visas using their country as a playground. I’m sure this goes for lots of places though. Europe particularly. The sentiment is generally everyone is welcome if you integrate fully and learn and accept the values of that culture. Not just going somewhere on holiday but learning about the locals.

But do other countries make such a national sport out of it like we do? I think the British obsession with it stands out. What books do you think contribute to these ideas?

Not all national psychologies have to be bad, I think the British have a sense of fairness that stands out, thats not a bad thing?

Interesting Question, I'm into psychology, I shall look into it when I remember.xx

I believe that the Scandinavian countries have a pervasive version of 'tall poppy syndrome', known locally as Jantelagen.

TheCatWoman said:

Tall Poppy Syndrome

This is probably true the world over and stems from old-fashioned envy. You are probably right at base - but I wonder where such ideas originate? Probably in books. I like to think most people are basically decent, the world over. Tyrants or fanatical religious leaders do influence their people - for example, on holiday in Africa I was shocked at a walking bus of infant Muslim kids staring at us with clear hostility. Look at Putin trying to ensure young people accept war as an inheritance of empire ['Mr Nobody Against Putin'].

But I think humans are decent at heart. Simple things like how 1 in 5 individuals give way at road junctions and wave if you let them out. This simple exercise shows good intent. Tribes like the Innuit and Bedouin are renowned for hospitality to strangers. 

I think that was a post war dream for many countries, not just America.

Oh “The American Dream” is a real thing, but I think it’s less pervasive the more generations that pass since the Greatest Generation. I feel like Millennials and newer are disenchanted with the whole idea of “if you don’t have a house, a job, and 2.5 kids you’re a failure” concept. Many of my friends are unmarried and have an apartment, and they’re getting along just fine.