In the world, which nation is the most liberal and which nation is the most totalitarian?

Amsterdam is quite totalitarian if it comes down to park your car.

Amsterdam must have declared new status if it now rates itself as a nation. How totalitarian can you get?

PRK isn't all bad, I imagine they could put together more than a few half decent synchronised swimming teams.

In terms of the number of peoples' lives that are directly affected by a regime, I would consider India and China (in that order) could be candidates for consideration.

But with 200+ nations to choose from...................and ignoring the magnitude of population effects...............and the fact that Amsterdam is a city, not a nation............I an somewhat bemused by the OP's question..................

Good point, Don.  An oversight by my haste.

Sweden is quite liberal is it not? The UAE... hmmm.

(I am still content being a resident and holding a British nationality by the way!)

Consciousmess posted:

Good point, Don.  An oversight by my haste.

Sweden is quite liberal is it not? The UAE... hmmm.

(I am still content being a resident and holding a British nationality by the way!)

I worked for the Kungl. Svenska Vag-och Vatterbyggnadskaren (Swedish Highways Agency in effect) in 1967, when we changed from driving on the left to driving on the right. Whilst Sweden appears to have a liberal society - Saunas, Sex and Swimming in the nude etc, there is little national sense of humour; Health & Safety is more riggorous than even Canada and don't even sniff a drop of alcohol if you are going to drive during the next week or so. But I enjoyed my time there.

I lived and worked in the Trucial States (now the UAE) from 1968 to 1972 and then in Oman (The Dhofar Region) during 72/73. I visited both The Emirates and Oman frequently from 72 until about 2000. Of course, during my time there, both were in effect British Protectorates so life was fairly normal with a high respect for local custom and religion. During my subsequent visits, I never  considered either place to be Totalitarian in the sense that I think you are promoting. Sure, you need to respect national laws and etiquette, and for sure both countries operate as (benevolent) Feudal/dictatorships with clear rules designed to protect the interest of local families/tribes - but then I gather this latter arrangement appears to have caught the imagination of c.17.5m "Brits" who consider we should leave the EU . I visited Oman frequently during my time in the Trucial States, including the time of the previous Sultan - Said, father of the current Qaboos . Now that was a bit more of a Totalitarian State and it ended with a coupe and a prolonged campaign in Dhofar against insurgents. But I enjoyed my time there, both in the UAE and Oman.

On the other hand, try Saudi...................but I enjoyed myself there as well !

Consciousmess posted:

Good point, Don.  An oversight by my haste.

Sweden is quite liberal is it not? The UAE... hmmm.

(I am still content being a resident and holding a British nationality by the way!)

I work in Sweden - Stckhlm area, I feel it hard to call Sweden liberal. Strong state-controled media, high taxes. Socialism seems to be a dogma there.

Germany is quite liberal. France is getting less liberal, at least as far as beachwear is concerned. USA is not what you would call liberal either.

Maybe Equador could be considered liberal? I don't know much about society there but I applaud their aid to the wikileaks person.

But are we all on the same page and consider Totalitarian == Good and Liberal == Bad?

Komrad Ardbeg10y

Liberal in what regard? There are so many things this could cover, that it is meaningless without defining the aspect(s) of society/behaviour in question. Some references to public exposure of flesh here - is it vices that are under consideration? What about freedom of thought, speech, dress code, behaviour in public, religeon, art? The OP seems to suggest that the balance of all needs to be considered. 

Maybe relative assessments would be easier, e.g I would say UK is pretty liberal, USA less so, North career towards the other extreme, with China not quite as totalitarian (now).

Liberal in my view would be a society less frowning of promiscuity.  Totalitarian in my view would be a society prohibiting liberal behaviour.  (I don't ask what YOU prefer, because some may not like women to reveal much of their bodies and others simply don't understand why pornography might be degrading.)

Behaviours I regard in this question include: freedom of speech, gay men holding hands, the dress people can wear, the severity of punishment for victimless crimes.

Saudi Arabia is not exactly high on these do you not think? Nor is Iran!

That is still confusing as it seems to be mostly about sexual liberalism, but there's als the victimless crime bit - and that needs defining, as few crimes are actually victimless (e.g. Insuarance fraud is sometimes viewed as victimless, but it has victims in the form of every other insurance customer who are the people that ultimately pay.

personally I rather like to see women naked - though not in all circumstances (e.g I really don't think it would work at work), while at some other times it could be unwantedly destracting - e.g out for a meal with my better half, I think I'd prefer the attractive woman on the next table to be clothed. At the same time I have no desire to see men naked. So I don't think that I really want to live in a nudist colony. But as for which country is the most liberal even in this one regard, I have no idea. Is there a prize for the right answer?

Of course - I'll send you a post card!!

PS A victimless crime could be self medication or blasphemy.

Consciousmess posted:

PS A victimless crime could be self medication or blasphemy.

Really ?

Consciousmess posted:

Of course - I'll send you a post card!!

From a jungle full of naked natives in South America/Africa ?

Again, is nakedness a true indicator of liberalism ? I think not.

Liberalism: allow people to combine Naim gear with non Naim gear.

Totalitarian: don't allow people to combine Naim gear with anything non-Naimish.