Failed State Index 2009

[Razgovory]

Japan is moderate only? 

Of course. Like all these kinds of "ratings" the upper end is really just a rating of how socialist you are.

Japan is clearly not socialist enough to be "sustainable". What a ironic choice of word...

So do reality and you ever meet or are you two just not seeing one another anymore?

[The Larch]

The list also shows how each state was rated in every category. E.g. Germany rates badly in:
I-3.  Legacy of Vengeance-Seeking Group Grievance or Group Paranoia
I-5.  Uneven Economic Development along Group Lines

For Spain, I'll see that and raise these other two:
I-10. Security Apparatus Operates as a "State Within a State"
I-11. Rise of Factionalized Elites


Damn those guys at the FP are harsh.

[Monoriu]

North Korea is red?  Their state apparatus functions very effectively.  You may or may not agree with their goals, of course.  But that should be a different matter. 

[Jaron]

North Korea is red?  Their state apparatus functions very effectively.  You may or may not agree with their goals, of course.  But that should be a different
matter.

They aren't socialist enough for Berkut's taste.

[Caliga]

It's nice to know the US is on par with Oman.

Massachusetts drags the rest of the US down. 

[Josquius]

I don't get it.
Why are the Scandinavians so much higher than Britain (and other western countries).

[Neil]

Not to mention, anyone who has actually been following the situation in Japan over the last two decades (hint: Berkut is not one of them) knows that Japan actually *is* a somewhat failed state, at least by the Western free market democracy standards.

What, do they not like gays enough for you?

Industrialized, high income, good education, high technology, good infrastructure, free and democratic elections.  #2 in the G-7.  Sounds good to me.

[Caliga]

I don't get it.
Why are the Scandinavians so much higher than Britain (and other western countries).

The people that make these kinds of polls always have a giant boner for Scandinavia.  Scandinavian countries always are at the top of "freedom" polls (i.e. freedom of the press, free of corruption, poverty, etc.)  Having never been to Scandinavia I have no idea if this reflects reality.  Switzerland is usually at or near the top of these rankings also, and I have been there... it seemed pretty much the same as the US to me, but then again I was only there for a few days.

[Neil]

Scandinavia doesn't have African-Americans.

[Caliga]

Scandinavia doesn't have African-Americans.

What does that have to do with anything? 

[Neil]

Scandinavia doesn't have African-Americans.

What does that have to do with anything? 

Blacks are always death in these kinds of polls, due to their genetic predisposition towards being ungovernable.

[CountDeMoney]

Are they still in that recession? Or did it break and they're now in a new one?

More like a couple of them, strung very close together that pretty much blend.

[Admiral Yi]

I don't get it.
Why are the Scandinavians so much higher than Britain (and other western countries).

I-5, uneven economic development along group lines.  Like Throbby said.

[The Larch]

I don't get it.
Why are the Scandinavians so much higher than Britain (and other western countries).

The people that make these kinds of polls always have a giant boner for Scandinavia.  Scandinavian countries always are at the top of "freedom" polls (i.e. freedom of the press, free of corruption, poverty, etc.)  Having never been to Scandinavia I have no idea if this reflects reality.  Switzerland is usually at or near the top of these rankings also, and I have been there... it seemed pretty much the same as the US to me, but then again I was only there for a few days.

It's rather a list of placid, boring, kind of dull places the ones that always top this kind of rankings. 

[Valmy]

How come French Guiana, despite being a department and region of France, is not ever considered a part of France on those maps?  Alaska and Hawaii are never considered not part of the US...it just seems odd to me.

And thus concludes the extent of what interests me about that map.