U.S., Canadian citizens differ in pride

U.S. and Canadian citizens are among the world's most patriotic, but a study suggests they are proud of their nations for differing reasons.

The study by the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center showed U.S. citizens rank highest in pride for their democratic system, political influence in the world, economy, achievements in science and technology and their military.

Canadians rank higher regarding pride in their social security system and their treatment of different groups within their society. Canadians ranked relatively low in their pride for their sports, arts, literature, military and history.

When asked if they would rather be a citizen of their country than any other in the world, people in the United States, were first with 75 percent strongly agreeing with the statement. The Canadians were sixth, with 56 percent strongly agreeing.

The findings, based on a survey of people in 34 nations, are detailed in a report entitled "National Pride in Specific Domains" by Tom Smith, director of the general social survey at NORC.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International