What exactly was the intended metric here, i.e., what is a "good guy?" I tried to balance two very distinct and unrelated things - what system sets a good example for living under (as an ordinary schmo, not a honcho), and historical entertainment value.
In terms of what is good to live under, modern European social democracy wins hands down, but its historical entertainment value is up there with watching paint dry. Europe in the first half of last century had great entertainment value, but you wouldn't want to live there!
I'm proud to be 'Murican, and all in all we haven't done that bad, but no sooner had we finally tried seriously to deal with the race thing than we started taking Ayn Rand far too seriously - and anyway, our history just isn't all that exciting. Republics do poorly on such entertainments as royal mistresses; neither Sally Hemings nor Monica Lewinsky are exactly up there in the running with Diane de Poitiers or even Nell Gwynne.
British Empire = pretty good balance. Fair human decency as empires go (including giving it up with grace and even some panache), and overall good value for your entertainment dollar. (Pound? Euro?)
-- Rick
In terms of what is good to live under, modern European social democracy wins hands down, but its historical entertainment value is up there with watching paint dry. Europe in the first half of last century had great entertainment value, but you wouldn't want to live there!
I'm proud to be 'Murican, and all in all we haven't done that bad, but no sooner had we finally tried seriously to deal with the race thing than we started taking Ayn Rand far too seriously - and anyway, our history just isn't all that exciting. Republics do poorly on such entertainments as royal mistresses; neither Sally Hemings nor Monica Lewinsky are exactly up there in the running with Diane de Poitiers or even Nell Gwynne.
British Empire = pretty good balance. Fair human decency as empires go (including giving it up with grace and even some panache), and overall good value for your entertainment dollar. (Pound? Euro?)
-- Rick