Britain tops global 'soft power' (cultural) list

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ower-list.html

Britain tops global 'soft power' list which shows how our cultural achievements are influencing the world

- Britain has topped Monocle magazine's 'soft power' ranking of world nations for the first time
- A successful hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and continuing success in the arts credited
- United States demoted to second position, with Germany third
- List takes into account everything from diplomatic strength to Olympic gold medals

Whether it's our golden sporting achievements, global pop chart-toppers or leading men and women in the arts, it seems Britain once again rules the world.

According to a new survey, Britain is the number one 'soft power,' projecting more influence around the world that anyone else.

For the first time, Britain has beaten the United States in Monocle magazine's annual 'Global Soft Power' survey, which ranks nations on everything from the standard of government to number of Olympic medals.

Advert to the world: Danny Boyle's spectacular Olympic opening ceremony was the ideal showcase for Britain, according to Monocle's 'soft power' list which placed Britain top for the first time

It follows a year in which Britain was able to sell its achievements and strengths to the world more than ever before with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The list credits Danny Boyle's acclaimed Olympic opening ceremony, with included references to Britain's health service and creation of the world wide web, as a key factor in helping the country 'sum itself up.'

This 'brilliant advert' for Britain was followed by unprecedented sporting success, with 65 Olympic and 120 Paralympic medals won at London 2012.

And this success came alongside Bradley Wiggins winning the Tour de France and Andy Murray the US Open.

It also credits Britain's enormous cultural reach. A total of 22 British albums reached number one overseas this year, with artists such as Adele a staple in worldwide music charts.

British actors and actresses continue to be cast in popular films and television programmes, such as Damian Lewis in Homeland and Dominic West in The Wire.

And the release of another James Bond film, Skyfall, was met with popular acclaim all over the world last month.

Brilliant year: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee helped fuel a tourism boom for the UK

The Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, meanwhile, helped power a massive tourism boom - 29m overseas visitors come to the UK each year.

Monocle magazine's editor-in-chief Tyler Brule said: There's been a fantastic momentum in Britain this year.

'And at monocle we're the biggest critics of this place, too. This is a good example of where you can't deny the Olympics were very important, from a global promoting point of view.

'People even felt good about the Union Jack. There was something happening this side of the Atlantic that sucked the wind out of America's sails.'

The US was demoted to second on the survey, which also takes into account factors such as diplomatic influence, appeal to business, education systems, cuisine, architecture and design.

While America continued to lead the way in promoting worldwide food initiatives, world health and tackling climate change, the country's military occupations and drone strikes had tarnished its image.

Mr Brule also said: 'The US has been very inward-looking with the election. America goes onto this more domestic footing - even more than usual - when there's an election.'

Germany moved up to third on the list, ahead of France, as it had become 'the undisputed leader of a creaking European Union.'

The progress of Spain and Italy has been inhibited by the Eurozone crisis, the list said.

Mr Brule added: 'We're in a time, right now, where, more than ever, it's not particularly fashionable to go out and write massive cheques to get your way in the world.

'Armed conflict has never been less fashionable, and if you're able to effect change because you present yourself as an attractive nation to befriend and engage with, that can only be positive.

'It's about the rules of attraction and what makes a nation the most attractive in the room.'

One Direction, Adele, The Wanted and many more are a global cultural force for Britain

Although we have a lot of problems, very serious indeed, it's egg on the face of those who constantly belittle this country and criticise it's proud history of Royalty and Empire and whom constantly tell us that we are just a tiny island off the continent of Europe who face increased decline in the twenty first century. It simply isn't true.

A language and bonds (the Commonwealth) left over from the Empire in the likes of India, China, Indochina and across Africa, a shared and loved Queen with the likes of Canada and many other nations, the world's top financial center in London, a world reserve currency, world leading universities of Oxford, Cambridge and the LSE, one of just three blue water naval forces in the world, leading cultural output in film and music........ there's much to be proud of and look forward to.

Interesting also to point out that three other nations in the top ten are English speaking former British colonies (the Anglo-sphere).

In the past few years i've noticed more British flags on high streets, on private property and more British symbols such as the Red Telephone Boxes with One Direction the other week - things like that sound silly but whether you like them or not, they're part of a cultural force for this country.

Much to look forward to and much to fix, thoughts?

[Inseriousity.]

I've noticed quite a lot that most of the top american tv shows seem to have british actors at the helm at the moment. I know people find the country drab and wish they could leave but I love it, warts and all! I'm grateful I was born in a good country

[GommeInc]

I'd rather be here than anywhere else (I could live in the Netherlands and/or Slovenia, but I do love it here). We've always been a soft, friendly country so this doesn't surprise me. The only countries that tend to hate us are ones which are trying to divert problems in their own countries or have nothing better to do with their time.

[FlyingJesus]

"Britishness" has always been a viable commodity really, especially out to places like Japan and the US which obviously in turn have quite some influence, so it's not really all that surprising especially considering the worldwide events that have taken place here recently and the massive cultural success of groups like One Direction who look to almost be bringing on a new Beatlemania kind of hype across the pond