It’s not brainwashing. It’s being able to comparatively understand that the UK is “one of the best” countries to live in in the world. Its personal preference which one of about 10-15 or so is the “absolute best”. It’s one of the richest, developed countries in the western world. People do not realise how good they have it here compared to a large majority of countries for lots of reasons (apologies for any typos! I’m on the bus):
1, Access to clean running water, heat, electricity etc. Do you know what % of the world cant turn on a tap and have clean water?
2, Temperate climate. Not too hot or cold. We aren’t on a fault line or an extreme weather so experience virtually no natural disasters like tsunamis, flooding, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, droughts, monsoons, tornadoes etc. It also means large parts of our country don't starve as crops don’t fail.
3, Decent infrastructure comparatively. We have good working roads, bridges, buildings, public transport etc. Are there problems? Yes but it’s infinitely better than the majority of countries. Even developed countries like Italy have worse roads and bridges than us.
4, Low levels of crime comparatively. Homicide, rape, gang violence, gun crime, robbery, home invasion are almost non-existent here. People will (rightly) complain about things like uptick in shoplifting and knife crime here but compatibly this crimes pale in insignificance to the violent crimes faced by citizens in other countries. Look at the violent rape statistics in Papa New Guinea or the Home Invasion statistics for South Africa. Most of us don’t go to bed each night thinking we may be assaulted or robbed whereas this is a realistic threat for a lot of the developed world.
5, Low levels of corruption, malpractice, negligence. Yes there is a problem with corruption in all governments and politicians but this is nothing compared to the corruption, blackmail, bribery of governments in other countries, especially poorer countries where virtually no money goes to the people who need it. We have laws in place to protect citizens again everything from making sure food is safe and non-contaminated to background checks on people before employment. This doesn’t happen in all countries. Their governments just don’t care. So many police forces are corrupt. Reporting a rape will often destroy your life further. The average citizen in a very underdeveloped country will have little legal resource to any injustice they have faced.
6, Rights for women, children and animals. These are almost non-existent in some countries. Men’s rights aren’t necessarily much better either. So many women in the world face rape, child/forced marriages, battery, mistreatment, abuse, barbaric religious practices, restriction to medical care and education etc. Boys are forced into becoming child soldiers at young ages and animal welfare is nonexistent.
7, Higher societal levels of trust and civic duty than in other countries (though not as much as in other Western regions like Scandinavia). Cleaner environments. Better sanitation. Actual working sewage systems for example. Few blackouts.
8, Very little threat of war, conflict, displacement or genocide. Not an option for many countries out there. So many children in other countries have experienced things by the age of 5 we would only consider in our worst nightmares.
9, Amazing history and culture. British achievements are influential in all countries. I’m so proud to live in a country that has achieved so much! The UK has produced everything from the likes of Shakespeare to Led Zeppelin, from Isaac Newton to The Beatles. We’ve invented Penicillin, The Steam Engine, The Telephone. We have a rich royal history, great folklore, comedy, interesting characters etc.
10, Beautiful unspoiled countryside and woodlands, castles, cathedrals, churches, statues and so much more!
Sorry that was long! I consider myself lucky to be born here everyday. Whether it’s the “absolute best” country to live in when comparing all metrics forensically, I’m not sure but it’s up there for one of the best countries you could be lucky enough to have been born in!