HokieBird wrote:If it were up to me, I'd include three more questions on the "test" - (courtesy of Victor Davis Hanson):
Hhmm.. but those questions bring all kinds of methodological problems..
I mean, for example:
1. Does any nation have a constitution comparable to ours?
Well, every constitution is different, so that would be a "no". But a lot of countries have constitutions that guarantee the basic stuff: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, separation of powers, etc... so it could also be a "yes". You'd first have to define "comparable", etc..
2. Does merit -- or religion, tribe or class -- mostly gauge success or failure in America?
That would be a bit of a problem too, since recent research shows that social mobility in the US now is lower than it was a generation ago - and that it is (in two separate pieces of research I've seen quoted recently), respectively almost as low as it is in Europe, or in fact (to add insult to injury) even
lower than in Europe.
So the idea that merit rather than class determines an individual's success or failure is more ideology than fact.
Of course, you may just be wanting to test the new citizen's ideological fealty. In that case, this question would work. As in: only those who subscribe to the myths that Americans hold dear, are allowed to become Americans too.
3. What nation is as free, stable and transparent as the U.S.?
That would necessitate a drop down menu of sorts, where people could select a number of states ... you know, Sweden, Canada, Australia, etc..
Really, somehow I get the feeling you havent really thought this through.
You're doing fine too, I hope?
