What Do You Think Of The Good Country Index?

Question

The Good Country Index attempts to measure how much each of 163 countries contribute to the planet and to the human race through their policies and behaviours. It uses information mostly generated by the UN, and the purpose is to encourage international collaboration rather than competition.

The seven categories are Science and Technology, Culture, International Peace and Security, World Order, Planet and Climate, Prosperity and Equality, Health and Well-being.         https://goodcountry.org/index/results

Here are the top ten for 2015. The USA came in at #20, just below Japan and two above Singapore. 

Answer 1

This kind of index can vary much from one side to the other, and average estimations can only provide generalised info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Country_Index

https://goodcountry.org/index/results

http://uk.businessinsider.com/good-country-index-2014-6?r=US&IR=T

Comments

Good observation about the generalised information, Marianne...I was unable to open the 3rd link, but I ended up wondering just what the information does tell us...? Maybe general trends...idk...

Answer 2

Although I don't think much of the U.N. nor much about info from them, this list looks to be about right to me. I do have yo question Germany and why Switzerland isn't among those top ten. I;ve been to the U.K. and France and I don;t see how France made that list but I would like to see a current up to date list and I bet it would be somewhat different.

Comments

Hi Rooster, I looked at their website, and it looks like the figures for 2016 are not out yet...idk, I am wondering how this list contributes to collaboration, what is the thinking there...?

Answer 3

Well, the overall list is not unreasonable, but some of the rankings in the subheadings are.

Global Contributions to Science and Technology

1. UK (substantial, but #1?)

2. Austria (??)

3. Czech Republic (??)

4. Denmark (??)

5. Cyprus (?????)

Global Contributions to International Peace and Security

1. South Africa (?????)

2. Egypt (???)

3. Uruguay (???)

4. Moldova (???)

5. Tanzania (???)

Comments

I would agree, O'Tink...it's of interest someone would try to compile figures like this...but even if they DID seem reasonable, I ended up wondering how they encourage international collaboration? 

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Lol - T(h)ink; I saw even worse, but from unreliable sources.

Cyprus seems to have made great economic efforts:

Actually, they shouldn't be mocked; their are facing enormous challenges, and they deserve a real chance.

http://setadc.org/we-should-be-paying-attention-to-cyprus-reunification-efforts/

http://in-cyprus.com/efforts-to-make-cyprus-a-maritime-education-hub/

But they risk to lose their identity, their independence:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellensheng/2017/03/30/why-a-second-passport-is-the-latest-must-have-of-the-worlds-wealthiest/#e18e31f55e05

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I appreciated learning about Cyprus re-unification efforts, Marianne!

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Indeed, Virginia, and the way is long and tortuous:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/27/once-in-a-generation-hopes-of-cyprus-reunification-appear-to-be-dashed

I hope that I was not too sarcastic ...

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@ Marianne,

Well, Cyprus might deserve a significant ranking for peace and security, but I was questioning its #5 ranking for "global contributions to science and technology."

Unless perhaps the UN meant the discovery of the Aphrodite gas field south of Cyprus?

SHOCKING!  HOW could the Cypriots imply that Aphrodite has gas?!?!? 

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O'Yes, O'Tink, I agree...even though Aphrodite IS by now quite an elderly goddess, she is still the goddess of love and certain things you simply must not imply!

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Marianne, the last paragraph in your link explained a great deal about why the re-unification efforts are so intense...

"Moscow is also believed to have acted behind the scenes to thwart a solution. If reunited, Cyprus would reconcile feuding Nato partners at a time of global uncertainty and mounting tensions in the region."

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@ Virginia,

Wait a minute!

I thought goddesses were immortal and never aged! 

Athena told me so herself!

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Oh, no...did I divulge a secret? And thereby (sniff) potential disillusionment, O'Tink? Well I think you should DEFINITELY take the word of Athena herself...

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Lol, Virginia, you are aware of every detail.

Yes, there are also some surprising, positive aspects ...

That reminds me a bit of an old comedy with Humphrey Bogart - about crooks becoming angels:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We%27re_No_Angels_(1955_film)

A bit old-fashioned, but ...

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Oh no, Marianne! (Gasping and fainting here...  )

...it appears I have missed ANOTHER Bogart film...I have loved We're No Angels, but that version was from 1989 and starred Robert de Niro and Sean Penn...

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Oh yes, Virginia; I only saw the 1955 movie and heard of this "remake" (if I remember well, I saw a trailer, long ago), though I did not have the occasion to watch it.

I hope that it was nice ...

Her's the info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We%27re_No_Angels_(1989_film)

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Marianne, you just cannot even imagine how GOOD that 1989 version was...I had NO idea it was a remake...this film was the first time I ever saw the work of Sean Penn, and I fell in love! Went on to appreciate him in I AM SAM, for another...

So now, I am going to see if the 1955 version is perchance on YouTube...Humphrey Bogart? What a treasure it must be!

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Virginia, that is convincing (my bucket list grows too fast - lol).

Yes, I liked this old parody with Humphrey Bogart.

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Marianne our respective bucket lists, you and me? No problem...we just live to be 1,000...