Ireland has come in third behind the United States in the patriotrism stakes, according to a survey of 34 countries carried out by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Venezuela came in a close second in the survey, apparently helped by the “Chavez factor”.
The U.S. ranked highest overall and in five categories: pride in its democracy, political influence, economy, science and military. Venezuela ranked highest in four categories: sports, arts and literature, history, and fair treatment of all groups in society.
Eric Wingerter, a Washington spokesman for the Venezuelan government, said many Venezuelans believe President Hugo Chavez has helped create a new sense of national pride. “There’s been a real emphasis on rediscovering what it means to be Venezuelan,” he said.
The media report gives no indication as to why Ireland is ranked so highly but it doesn’t seem to be following the trend of other Western European states, which like East Asian and former socialist countries usually ranked near the middle or bottom.
However, former colonies and newer nations were more likely to rank high on the list.
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