ABSTRACT
In 1995–6 and 2003–4 the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) conducted studies of national identity. These studies included two batteries on national pride. The first consisted of ten domain-specific measures asking about national pride in such areas as politics (e.g. “the way democracy works” and “political influence in the world”), economics (e.g. [country's] economic achievements), culture (e.g. “achievements in the arts and literature” and “history”) and other (e.g. “achievements in sports” and “fair and equal treatment of all groups in society”). The second tapped general pride with agree/disagree statements (e.g. “Generally speaking, [country] is a better country than most other countries” and “People should support their country even if the country is in the wrong”). This chapter focuses on the domain-specific measure.
The United States ranks first overall on domain-specific national pride, with Venezuela a close second. Most of the other top ranks are also occupied by ex-colonies and other new nations. Western European democracies dominate the middle range. They are followed by East Asian nations. Most of the bottom ranks are filled by ex-socialist states. Among Western European democracies and ex-socialist states, the bottom rungs are occupied respectively by the former West and East Germany. Their low scores overall, and their last- and next-to-last-place finish on history in particular, reflect war guilt from their Nazi past.
The relative rankings on the ten domains in general and deviations from a country's overall ranking reveal much about how people view their society. They are key indicators of national character and national priorities.
