The Good Country Index

Simon Anholt has recently established a new method to evaluate a country's reputation and image. The Good Country Index measures "what each country on earth contributes to the common good of humanity, and what it takes away." Various factors are considered in the evaluation including: science and technology, culture, international peace and security, world order, planet and climate, prosperity and equality, and health and wellbeing. 

According to this index, Ireland is the country that contributes the most to greater good followed by Finland and Switzerland. But being a 'good' country does not necessarily translate into being the best place to live in; "goodness" is measured here in the global context and not on a national level. This index is the beginning of a larger conversation that Anholt hopes to have about what it really means to be a good country to the whole world.

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