Global Ethics Corner: Is my Country Doing Right by Me?

Jan 9, 2009

What criteria do you emphasize when deciding "How is my country doing?" Are you proud of how your country compares with the world?

How do we know if nations are succeeding? Is a country doing right by its people?

One way to decide is illustrated by the UN Development Programme Report which ranks countries of the world, and provides a comprehensive view using indices of health, education, and income.

Importantly, this index provides an approach to social progress that is not solely reliant upon wealth.

How is America doing? In 2007-2008 the U.S. ranked only 12th overall and as low as 31st on life expectancy.

More recently, a report, The Measure of America, applies the UN approach, peeling the onion by looking at state and congressional district data, as well as by gender, racial, and ethnic factors. There is a dramatic gap. The best index is in New York City, the lowest in Fresno California.

Extending the report, ethical behavior might be further refined by including items like: human rights indices, entrepreneurial ability, the degree of regulation, freedom from fear, et cetera.

What criteria do you emphasize when deciding "How is my country doing?" Are you proud of how your country compares with the world?

By William Vocke

To post a comment, go to the Global Ethics Corner slideshow.

You may also like

Dr. Strangelove War Room. CREDIT: IMDB/Columbia Pictures

DEC 10, 2024 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Dr. Strangelove"

This review explores ethical issues around nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, the military-industrial complex, and the role of political satire in Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove."

DEC 3, 2024 Article

Child Poverty and Equality of Opportunity for Children in the United States

This final project from the first CEF cohort discusses the effects of child poverty in the United States and ethical solutions to help alleviate this ...

DEC 2, 2024 Article

Global Ethics Day 2024 Reaches New Heights with Participation Across 70 Countries

On October 16, 2024, hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals across nearly 70 countries celebrated the 11th annual Global Ethics Day.

Not translated

This content has not yet been translated into your language. You can request a translation by clicking the button below.

Request Translation