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Global Peace Index

FEATURED COMMENTARY

Global Peace Index Ranking Doesn't Flatter the U.S.
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student, and US Rep. Gregory Meeks
Posted: 08/10/08

[Published, Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 10, 2008] In the tradition of politically charged Olympics of the past, the 2008 summer games in Beijing have become an arena to contest some of the world's most egregious conflicts. From concerns over China's crackdown on Tibetan rights to the country's slothful response vis-a-vis Darfur, government and business leaders alike are seizing the opportunity to wage political proxy wars, with the aim of using sport to influence China's handling of human rights and genocide. READ MORE

RECENT COMMENTARY

Rectifying America's Low Peace-Index Ranking
Sara Cobb, ICAR Director, and Rep. Meeks
Posted: 06/27/07

[Published, The Hill, June 26, 2007] As the United States government works to bring peace and stability to Iraq, Darfur and Kosovo, it appears that our own backyard is in desperate need of some tending. The fact that the U.S. ranked 96th in The Economist’s recently launched Global Peace Index (GPI), below Cuba, Syria and China, should surprise no one. GPI’s criteria included access to small weapons, percentage of population in prison, military expenditures and respect for human rights. Sadly, the U.S. ranks poorly in each category: 300,000 to 400,000 firearm-related crimes annually, nearly 2 million citizens in prison, a defense budget that surpasses the rest of the world combined, and a human rights record that includes Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and CIA rendition. READ MORE

Going From Hawk to Dove
Gretchen Griener, ICAR Phd Student
Posted: 07/03/07

[Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, July 3, 2007] The United States is more hawk than dove and heading toward vulture status, according to the recently launched Global Peace Index (GPI) ranking of 121 countries. Finishing up far back in the pack at No. 96, the United States was deemed less peaceful than Yemen, Cambodia, and Serbia. In particular, America won demerits for the number of prison inmates, size of military, and overseas troop deployments. The GPI reveals that the United States needs to become both less violent at home and abroad while increasing real security measures on all fronts. To move from hawk to dove, the United States needs to change its feathers. In a world so hostilely disposed toward America, such “transfeatheration” not only makes sense but is vital for national security. READ MORE

Meeks on Global Peace Index: An Interview with Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY)
By Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 07/02/07

Michael Shank: The recently launched Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Peace Index, which rates countries on their level of peacefulness, ranked the United States 96th out of 121 countries surveyed. Does this come as a surprise to you? Rep. Gregory Meeks: Not a big surprise. We know that we’ve got several problems. One of the things that I think is important and that I hope that the rankings will do is cause us to have a more interflective viewpoint. We often look at what’s taking place elsewhere and not look at what’s taking place inside. READ MORE

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ICAR News Network Global Peace Index FEATURED COMMENTARY Global Peace Index Ranking Doesn't Flatter the U.S. Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student, and US Rep. Gregory Meeks Posted: 08/10/08 [Published, Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 10, 2008] In the tradition of politically charged Olympics of the past, the 2008 summer games in Beijing have become an arena to contest some of the world's most egregious conflicts. From concerns over China's crackdown on Tibetan rights to the country's slothful response vis-a-vis Darfur, government and business leaders alike are seizing the opportunity to wage political proxy wars, with the aim of using sport to influence China's handling of human rights and genocide. READ MORE RECENT COMMENTARY Rectifying America's Low Peace-Index Ranking Sara Cobb, ICAR Director, and Rep. Meeks Posted: 06/27/07 [Published, The Hill, June 26, 2007] As the United States government works to bring peace and stability to Iraq, Darfur and Kosovo, it appears that our own backyard is in desperate need of some tending. The fact that the U.S. ranked 96th in The Economist’s recently launched Global Peace Index (GPI), below Cuba, Syria and China, should surprise no one. GPI’s criteria included access to small weapons, percentage of population in prison, military expenditures and respect for human rights. Sadly, the U.S. ranks poorly in each category: 300,000 to 400,000 firearm-related crimes annually, nearly 2 million citizens in prison, a defense budget that surpasses the rest of the world combined, and a human rights record that includes Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and CIA rendition. READ MORE Going From Hawk to Dove Gretchen Griener, ICAR Phd Student Posted: 07/03/07 [Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, July 3, 2007] The United States is more hawk than dove and heading toward vulture status, according to the recently launched Global Peace Index (GPI) ranking of 121 countries. Finishing up far back in the pack at No. 96, the United States was deemed less peaceful than Yemen, Cambodia, and Serbia. In particular, America won demerits for the number of prison inmates, size of military, and overseas troop deployments. The GPI reveals that the United States needs to become both less violent at home and abroad while increasing real security measures on all fronts. To move from hawk to dove, the United States needs to change its feathers. In a world so hostilely disposed toward America, such “transfeatheration” not only makes sense but is vital for national security. READ MORE Meeks on Global Peace Index: An Interview with Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) By Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student Posted: 07/02/07 Michael Shank: The recently launched Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Peace Index, which rates countries on their level of peacefulness, ranked the United States 96th out of 121 countries surveyed. Does this come as a surprise to you? Rep. Gregory Meeks: Not a big surprise. We know that we’ve got several problems. One of the things that I think is important and that I hope that the rankings will do is cause us to have a more interflective viewpoint. We often look at what’s taking place elsewhere and not look at what’s taking place inside. READ MORE News Network Homepage / Armenia / 2008 Elections / Afghanistan / Diplomacy/ Egypt / Environment / Global Peace Index / Health / Immigration / Iraq / Iran / Islam / Kosovo / Nuclear Proliferation / Pakistan / Palestine-Israel / Russia / Somalia / South America / Sri Lanka / Turkey /		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources ICAR Publications Point Of View Center Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution