United Kingdom

I used to think Britain is the most civilised country in the world. But of course I spent my formative years there, and most people around the world believe that of the respective countries they grew up in.

During the 1979-1997 years of Tory rule, Britain was certainly the most dynamic, active, business-like country in Europe. It has also since that time gone from one of Europe's most liberal countries to one of the least liberal: no right to silence, cameras everywhere, restrictive Internet policies.. a shame. And perhaps no coincidence that Orwell was British.