First-Ever 'Peacefulness' Ranking Launched; U.S. Scores Low

First-Ever 'Peacefulness' Ranking Launched; U.S. Scores Low
Nicole Olsen
OneWorld US
Sun., Jun. 10, 2007
WASHINGTON, Jun 8 (OneWorld) - The first study to rank countries around the world according to their peacefulness and identify the drivers that create and sustain peace was released here last week.

Norway took the crown for most peaceful nation among the 121 surveyed by the Global Peace Index, followed closely by New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland, and Japan. The United States and Iran received nearly equal -- and low -- scores, placing 96 and 97 on the list.

Iraq placed dead last, just below Sudan and Israel.

The Index, initiated by international businessman and philanthropist Steve Killelea and co-produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), measures and ranks nations' "peacefulness" based on an average score derived from 24 key indicators.

The new measurement is expected to help governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and businesses replicate initiatives whose success can now be more accurately measured and evaluated, said the Global Peace Index's founders.

Norway took the title for most peaceful nation due largely to the internal peace it is experiencing and its limited involvement in external conflict, except for peacekeeping missions. Norway's strong international ties, particularly with neighboring Scandinavian countries, also contributed to its high ranking.

Although Norway's military expenditure was higher than other Nordic countries surveyed, its citizens' access to small arms and light weapons is highly restricted, improving the country's peacefulness rating.

The indicators used to rank the countries, which ranged from a nation's level of military expenditure to its relations with neighboring countries and its level of respect for human rights, also allowed EIU's team to identify common "drivers" that make for the most peaceful societies.

Among these are high levels of income, schooling, and regional integration. Peaceful nations were also found to share high levels of transparency in government and low levels of corruption.

The United States scored low on the scale despite possessing high levels of democracy and transparency of government in addition to education and material wellbeing. The low ranking resulted in large part from its direct engagement in warfare and external conflict. High levels of incarceration and homicide and an elevated level of military spending were also cited as negative contributors to peace.

"There will be many questions and concerns about the index's findings, but it is hard to discredit this project," Global Peace Index CEO Clyde McConaghy told reporters, adding that it was a "good" first attempt at something never before done.

The Global Peace Index has been endorsed by several Nobel Laureates and many other notable dignitaries, and has drawn support from several NGOs, including the Washington, DC-based Alliance for Peacebuilding, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in California, and OneWorld (the parent organization of the OneWorld on Yahoo! News service).

According to the Index's sponsors, the data it produces will make it easier for NGOs to invest in more appropriate aid programs for each country, provide a tool to hold aid recipients accountable, and, over time, provide a benchmark for the overall performance of all world actors working for peace.

McConaghy said the Index's existence means that "links between peace and prosperity will be uncovered" and "profiles of what a peaceful nation looks like will be created."

"And this," McConaghy added, "will provide a better foundation -- a foundation of underlying peace -- for solving important issues like global warming, overpopulation, and a decreasing biodiversity."