NZ most socially advanced nation.

Posted by: Jasonf on 04 April 2014

New Zealand is the most socially advanced nation on the planet according to a new global index published today, the Social Progress Imperative (SPI).

 

NZ topped the Index of 132 countries ranked on social and environmental performance by the US-based nonprofit organisation. Eighty years after gross domestic product was first conceived, SPI was designed to offer another - more wholesome - way to measure national performance.

Under three main categories - basic human needs, foundations of wellbeing, and opportunity - 12 components, further split into 54 indicators, determined overall ratings. New Zealand ranked first overall in opportunity, and had the best score in 20 components, including measures of homicide, corruption, religious tolerance, personal freedom and choice, secondary school enrolment, and press freedoms.

 

The top five countries in order were New Zealand, Switzerland, Netherlands, Iceland, and Norway.

 

Any surprises in the rankings? Well for me, I am very surprised that the US is ranked so high in view of the 'gun issue' and according to Russ, a Second Amendment that can not be repealed (Russ can correct me if I have misunderstood this). And France and Italy seem rather low..... In general, the Europeans (even the socialist model) take the majority of the top spots.

 

 http://www.socialprogressimper...s/spi/dim1,dim2,dim3

 

I think it is an excelent approach  in attempting to measure a nations social awareness in regard to its political policy decision making....and a breath of fresh air from the endless quoting of the GDP index. I suspect the SPI is not perfect and has some data gaps, but it shows that you don't need to be a rich nation to have a socially progressive outlook.

 

So I hand it over to the floor for comments.

 

Jason.

 

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf

A couple of further non-expert observations;

 

UK above Japan?

 

And this reinforces my view that Scotland should go Independant, try to emulate the Nordic model or anyone else it perceives to be worthwhile and let the new born child think for itself...the UK is just holging it back IMO.

 

Jason.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf

I found the SPI index this morning whilst doing some work related research, so I am posting and discovering at the same time, so excuse the haphazard postings.

 

Canada came in seventh, the best among the nations in the G-7. Germany is 12th, Britain 13th and Japan 14th.

 

Japan.

 

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Harry

Does this mean that NZ has apologised to its indigenous population, made restitution, given them their land back? I must have missed that.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by joerand

I was surprised to see that Brangelina is 9th on the list due largely to the high rate of adoption of orphans and its progressive legislation on human rights.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf

And where the hell is The Peoples Republic of Madonna...it's just a Material World.

 

You can see where this is going!

 

Jason.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by dis

Harry,

Yes, a start has been made to recompense Maori for historic injustices. In 1975 an act of parliament enabled claimants to negotiate with the government.

Many Iwi (tribes) have reached multi million $ settlements as well as land returns. Some Iwi, such as Ngai Tahu from the South Island have used their $ to become a significant economic force in NZ.

It is not perfect. Nothing will compensate loss of life, land and  dignity . But the clock cannot be turned back and a 21st century solution is at least underway.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by joerand

This just in......  

The leader of the small island nation of La Isla Bonita, Premier Madonna, has challenged these results claiming her nation's adoption rate should place it well into the top five rankings.

 

More just in ....  

Oprah has offered to serve as a mediator to settle this discrepancy in rankings among nations. 

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by Harry:

Does this mean that NZ has apologised to its indigenous population, made restitution, given them their land back? I must have missed that.

 

I am sure there are 'apology policies' in place of various descriptions, as there are in Australia, US and so on. I wonder where the 'apology policies' are for the UK, with regard to its historical suppression of indigenous peoples in places where the sun never set.

 

As I said some possible data gaps, but these are issues worth discussing.

 

Jason.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Harry

No gaps here Jason. I'm talking about NZ. You want to take it sideways? I wouldn't know where to start in the case of the UK. But many wrongs don't make it alright or take the heat off NZ.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by winkyincanada

The country on the median is Venzuela. I wouldn't have picked that.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by Char Wallah:
Originally Posted by Harry:

Does this mean that NZ has apologised to its indigenous population, made restitution, given them their land back? I must have missed that.

No, it's the English who have to apologise for that. 

Quite, data gap, selective memory, where does one begin or end. Harry does bring up an interesting point though. What would probably be just as useful is a method of measuring the effectiveness of 'apology policies' introduced by nations post attrocity/misdemeanour. That would make an interesting index....the English would have to dig up some pretty extraordinary policies.

 

Jason Not Japan.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Harry

Seems that NZ can accept the accolade without reflection. Isn't that nice? Mind you, they will anyway.

 

No revisionism or denial from my direction - I refer you to the topic title. You can make the discussion as wide or long as you like, but in the context of what I posted today I refer you again to the topic title.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf

Point noted and I don't disagree with you.

 

and my previous post is serious, for example in the Top 10 we have:

 

Denmark and Sweden's subjugation of Norway on more than one occasion, Norway's active suppression of the Sami, Sweden and Switzerland's complicit relationship with Nazi Germany whilst masquerading a neutral flavour and I am sure the Netherlands colonial past can be called into question, then there's Finland and Iceland? I need help for those two.

 

Jason 

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jota

Scandinavia, once again, shows what Scotland is missing by being tied to Westminster.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf

Have you noticed, there's no place for the Romans!

 

Jason

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by Jasonf:

Point noted and I don't disagree with you.

 

and my previous post is serious, for example in the Top 10 we have:

 

Denmark and Sweden's subjugation of Norway on more than one occasion, Norway's active suppression of the Sami, Sweden and Switzerland's complicit relationship with Nazi Germany whilst masquerading a neutral flavour and I am sure the Netherlands colonial past can be called into question, then there's Finland and Iceland? I need help for those two.

 

Jason 

Whoops, that should read, "Norways.....................the Sami in the recent past". And not now of course.

 

Jason.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Don Atkinson

I am at a loss as to what England today has to apologise for.

 

I can take you to the graveyards of those people who "Ruled the World" when Canada, the USA, Australia, NZ et al were "discovered" and colonised. It wasn't me and many of those graveyards would be found in Canada, the USa Australia NZ .....you get the picture I think !

 

But if you really do think England has something to apologise for, I would invite you ask the Romans and Vikings (Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark) plus the rest of Europe that invaded this land to start resitution and settlement issues over here.................

 

 

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by 911gt3r
Originally Posted by Jasonf:

Point noted and I don't disagree with you.

 

and my previous post is serious, for example in the Top 10 we have:

 

Denmark and Sweden's subjugation of Norway on more than one occasion, Norway's active suppression of the Sami, Sweden and Switzerland's complicit relationship with Nazi Germany whilst masquerading a neutral flavour and I am sure the Netherlands colonial past can be called into question, then there's Finland and Iceland? I need help for those two.

 

Jason 

OI, all the Danes ever did wrong was to wear funny hats and beating England in foot ball during Euro 92 !  ATB Peter

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by osprey
Finland as an independent nation has only existed less than 100 years but since the Swedes used to fight their wars to the last Finn I guess we have some blame to take concerning what has happened in the past.

England however, it's easier to count the countries they have not invaded…
Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by Don Atkinson:

I am at a loss as to what England today has to apologise for.

 

I can take you to the graveyards of those people who "Ruled the World" when Canada, the USA, Australia, NZ et al were "discovered" and colonised. It wasn't me and many of those graveyards would be found in Canada, the USa Australia NZ .....you get the picture I think !

 

But if you really do think England has something to apologise for, I would invite you ask the Romans and Vikings (Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark) plus the rest of Europe that invaded this land to start resitution and settlement issues over here.................

 

 

Don, I am not sure you have grasped the spirit of the thread.

 

Jason.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Originally Posted by Char Wallah:
 

No, it's the English who have to apologise for that. 

 

I think you mean "British"...

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by osprey:
Finland as an independent nation has only existed less than 100 years but since the Swedes used to fight their wars to the last Finn I guess we have some blame to take concerning what has happened in the past.

England however, it's easier to count the countries they have not invaded…

Osprey, are you saying that Fins were enrolled (forced) into the Swedish armies of times gone by to fight those Ruskys and help suppress those Norsemen and generally keep the Swedes in fine fettle. That you were complicit in the barbarous torture, maiming and rape of countless peoples (including the Celts, Gaelics and Anglo Saxons). And your only excuse is that you were a small tribal race of expert sauna builders and rally cross drivers...and fine fishermen too.

 

I think we can forgive you for that

 

Jason.

Posted on: 04 April 2014 by osprey
Jason, you summed it up quite nicely

But on a more serious note we have not always treated the minorities too well here either (be it Sami or Romani people or disabled ones). And of course there was the Nazi connections during WW II also.
Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by osprey:

       
Jason, you summed it up quite nicely

But on a more serious note we have not always treated the minorities too well here either (be it Sami or Romani people or disabled ones). And of course there was the Nazi connections during WW II also.

       


Well that's done it then. I  guess it's just Iceland, somebody must have some dirt to dish on the Icelandic people...not counting the banking collapse or the volcanoe eruption that ruined your holiday!

Jason.
Posted on: 04 April 2014 by Steve C
Originally Posted by Jasonf:
Originally Posted by osprey:

       
Jason, you summed it up quite nicely

But on a more serious note we have not always treated the minorities too well here either (be it Sami or Romani people or disabled ones). And of course there was the Nazi connections during WW II also.

       


Well that's done it then. I  guess it's just Iceland, somebody must have some dirt to dish on the Icelandic people...not counting the banking collapse or the volcanoe eruption that ruined your holiday!

Jason.

The Cod War in the seventies.