They've always placed the highest value on their democracy, but took centuries to give everyone the vote. They’ve been seen as tolerant, even though at times in their history they’ve persecuted minorities. They’ve loved political stability yet have fought among themselves.
They’ve been eccentric and funny on the one hand, and conformist and straight-laced on the other. They’ve revered the rule of law, but put a military dictator’s statue outside parliament. They’ve fought like lions in wartime, while making hatred of war respectable.