The metric system, officially known as the International System of Units (SI), is the most widely used measurement system worldwide, adopted for its simplicity and ease of conversion. However, the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar are notable exceptions, each maintaining its own traditional systems of measurement for various reasons, deeply rooted in history, culture, and economics.
The United States primarily uses the US customary system, which includes units such as pounds, inches, and miles. This system is derived from the British imperial system, which was in place during the colonial times. Despite several pushes towards metrication, including the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 which declared the metric system as the preferred system for weights and measures, the United States has largely retained its traditional system. The reasons include the high costs associated with the conversion of industrial and commercial infrastructure, the vast size of the country, and the deep cultural attachment to customary units. Moreover, US industries that are heavily engaged in international trade, such as the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, often use the metric system to maintain competitiveness in global markets.
Liberia, another holdout, similarly has historical ties to the imperial system due to its settlement by freed American slaves in the 19th century who brought the US customary system with them. Although Liberia has expressed intentions to switch to the metric system to align more closely with international standards, progress has been slow, influenced by similar factors of cost and the challenge of national education and transition.
Myanmar, on the other hand, uses a traditional system of measurement known as the Burmese system, featuring units such as the peiktha and the mattha. Similar to Liberia, Myanmar has shown interest in adopting the metric system. The government has made some efforts towards metrication as part of its modernization initiatives, especially since the reform process that began in 2011. However, widespread adoption across the populous nation remains a significant challenge due to entrenched local practices and the scale of change required.
The divergent paths of the US, Liberia, and Myanmar highlight the complex interplay of historical legacy, economic considerations, and cultural identity in the adoption of measurement systems. While the metric system offers universality and ease of global commerce, the transition requires overcoming substantial societal inertia and infrastructure retrofitting, which are neither straightforward nor inexpensive.
