BF2S Forums US beats Iran on Global Peace Index / A glimmer of hope from Congress

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

The United States ranked 96th on the Global Peace Index, ONE spot above Iran and 23 spots above Israel.

The GPI is measured with a weighted score of 60% on internal violence and 40% on external violence.  The indicators can be found here.  One indicator I found especially appalling is our prison population - currently housing 25% of the total prison population of the world.  Other factors such as ease of access to firearms lowered the US score dramatically.

Do you think this can be used as an accurate assessment?  Is there any validity?  Is this reason to observe both domestic and international policy objectives and possibly seek new policy initiatives?

On a somewhat related note, the FY 2008 State Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill was sent to Senate recently, and this bill looks somewhat promising...at least in comparison to the majority of the rubbish Congress enacts.  Provisions include - +$6 billion earmarked for global health; a proviso severely limiting the sale and transfer of cluster bombs; +$5 billion for worldwide HIV/AIDS initiatives; almost $1 billion earmarked for Sudan, including $200 million for humanitarian/peacekeeping efforts; A huge step in sexual education policy beyond our borders through a change in policy allowing the purchase of contraceptives by NGOs (non governmental organizations).  Furthermore, the bill actually decreases the amount of foreign military aid, which I support 100%.  Unfortunately, Congress still feels a need to provide +$500 million to burn arable land in Columbia.  Can't win them all.

Link to bill

Discuss.

m3thod wrote:

Just goes to show the Scandinavian countries have got their shit together. GJ.

Last edited by KEN-JENNINGS (2007-07-16 14:44:23)

m3thod wrote:

Oz is warmer than NZ!

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

Other factors such as ease of access to firearms lowered the US score dramatically.

Magius5.0 wrote:

LT.Victim wrote:

Canada's sitting @ number 8, not bad..

Dude, no one cares about Canada, you know why?  Because they aren't a threat to anyone, and furthermore, they're very enjoyable to get along with.  Although my buddy Jay is quite nutty, and he's from Canada (originally)...huh, must be an isolated case (snickers).

G3|Genius wrote:

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

Other factors such as ease of access to firearms lowered the US score dramatically.

why does firearms automatically convert to violence?  My family owns lots of firearms because we hunt.  I assure you i have never shot anyone.  I've never shot an animal either.  The squirrels around my house are all lucky bastards.  So was that pheasant.

regardless, NO.  This is not an accurate assessment.  It's faulty logic.  The attitude that the ease to obtain firearms means less peace is the same attitude that caused the robots to revolt in I, Robot.

Until they take into account the freedoms of the peoples within the country, it will not be an accurate depiction.  Without that, you could have an Orwellian society, and still score well on the peace charts.

A qualitative assessment of the accessibility of small arms and light weapons (SALW), ranked 1-5 (very low–very high) by EIU analysts. Very limited access is scored if the country has developed policy instruments and best practices, such as firearm licences, strengthening of export controls, codes of conduct, firearms or ammunition marking. Very easy access, on the contrary, is characterized by the lack of regulation of civilian possession, ownership, storage, carriage and use of firearms.

Last edited by KEN-JENNINGS (2007-07-17 11:41:59)