Posted on 05/30/2007 10:08:16 AM PDT by ASC2006
The United States is among the least peaceful nations in the world, ranking 96th between Yemen and Iran, according to a new index released Wednesday that evaluates 121 nations based on their peacefulness.
According to the Global Peace Index, created by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Norway is the most peaceful nation in the world and Iraq is the least, just after Russia, Israel and Sudan.
"The objective of the Global Peace Index was to go beyond a crude measure of wars by systemically exploring the texture of peace," said Global Peace Index President Clyde McConaghy.
He said the inaugural effort proves "peace can and has and will continue to be measured."
The index was compiled based on 24 indicators measuring peace inside and outside of a country. They included the number of wars a country was involved in the past five years, how many soldiers were killed overseas and how much money was made in arms sales.
"We were trying to find out what positive qualities lead to peace," said Leo Abruzzese, the North American editorial director of the intelligence unit that is part of The Economist Group that publishes the well known magazine.
Fifteen of the top 20 most peaceful nations are in Western Europe, and countries with higher income appeared to lead to higher levels of peace, he said.
The United States ranked 96th out of 121 nations, just worse than Yemen and just better than Iran, Honduras and South Africa.
Abruzzese said the United States' score was pulled down by the number of wars it is involved in, large numbers of soldiers killed on the battlefield and high defense spending.
He said the fact the United States has the world's largest prison population per share of overall population also pulled down the score.
(Excerpt) Read more at africa.reuters.com ...
When you read phrases like this, you know that writer is an idiot.
You may be surprised.
Of course we rank low, we are the policeman/superpower of the world. We will continue in that role until we become a second-rate power. Then we will be at the mercy of the country that takes the role away from us.
The current candidates for the role do not inspire confidence.
Never said Iraq attacked us. They were a threat and making threatening postures. That’s enough.
Of course we rank low, we are the policeman/superpower of the world. We will continue in that role until we become a second-rate power. Then we will be at the mercy of the country that takes the role away from us.
The current candidates for the role do not inspire confidence.
But Julie Annie is a tough guy. I know this because he said it so many times.
Using that standard, wouldn't supporting "regime change" qualify as a threatening posture? Doesn't that justify N Korea and Iran developing nuclear weapons?
What's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander.
ahh so the more capitalist the nation the less peaceful the nation...
Or... did you ever consider that with a people that have a very "free" mindset like Americans do, we "run a foul" at a higher percentage? I remember years ago when in Germany, I crossed the street when the light was red, because there were no cars within sight. All of the Germans stood there and actually almost hissed and gave me evil eyes as if I was some arch criminal. One German said the collective mindset was "you do what you're supposed to do". Asian cultures seem to be like that too.
That's a good one!
Using that criteria (crossing against the light as indication of level of personal freedom), the French and Italians should have higher prison populations per capita than we do.
I have met visiting Europeans that are stunned at the number of directions restricting personal freedom we encounter everyday in the US. They point to signs saying no parking, no admittance, no tresspassing, no fishing, no swimming, keep off grass, stay on path, wait behind line until called, no dumping, no littering, and wonder what the freedom is that we're so proud of.
I find that ridiculous and frankly not credible since in Europe they have all of those same "restrictions".
“Using that standard, wouldn’t supporting “regime change” qualify as a threatening posture? Doesn’t that justify N Korea and Iran developing nuclear weapons?
What’s sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander”
I couldn’t agree more. I would fully support regime change in North Korea and Iran.
Apparently it is “bad” to jail your criminals, defend your nation, and be the world cop.
Which Dennis Kucinich propaganda flyer did you pull that from?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.