Global Ethics Corner: America on a Global Ethics Thermometer: Image and Reality

Feb 25, 2011

How well do the institutions of government live up to the expectations of their people? What has America got right? What should it change? How do other countries measure up?

Who are the good guys and bad guys in international affairs? How do countries stack up?

The issue is not patriotism or nationalism. Most want to honor their country. Nor is the issue development, the level of wealth.

The issue is how well do the institutions of government live up to expectations?

Of course, expectations and their evaluation are tied to personal values, but most people have a sense of ethical state behavior. In people's minds some countries succeed, many fail, and most fall in between. Switzerland is seen by most as a success, Libya is an example of failure.

There are many objective indices for evaluating a country's behavior. Among them are: life expectancy at birth, economic transparency, educational performance, personal security, income equality, opportunity for advancement, [infant mortality, human rights protection, level of development, growth, environmental impact], etc.

People choose different combinations when they judge. Charles Blow in The New York Times uses nine indices to evaluate 33 countries, and concludes regarding the U.S. that "It's time for us to stop lying to ourselves about this country. …on a whole host of measures… we are among the worst of the worst." [The title is equally provocative, "Empire at the End of Decadence: American Shame."]

This is a stunning conclusion to many Americans. Is the U.S. number one only in its own eyes?

Think critically for a moment not about the America we love, but about the America depicted by dozens of indices. Is Blow right? If so, why do people around the world want to immigrate to the U.S.? What has America gotten right? What should change?

By William Vocke

For more information see:

Charles M. Blow, "Empire at the End of Decadence: American Shame," The New York Times, February 19, 2011, p. A19.

Photo Credits in order of Appearance:

Banalities
C-reel.com
M.V. Jantzen
José Cruz/ABr
Maggie Osama
Thinkstock/Polka Dot
UggBoy?UggGirl

Hajime Nakano
Sorent
Panagiotis V. Lazaridis
Sbw01f
Sbw01f
Alessandro
-{ thus }-
The U.S. Army
Gary McCabe
Mark Heard
The U.S. Army


http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeturnum/675199030/

You may also like

NOV 21, 2024 Article

A New International Order Is Emerging, We Must Bring Our Principles With Us

On the heels of a new international order, Carnegie Council will continue to champion the vision of peace and cooperation that remains our mission.

NOV 13, 2024 Article

An Ethical Grey Zone: AI Agents in Political Deliberations

As adoption of agentic AI increases, it is critical for researchers and policymakers to agree on ethical principles to inform governance of this emerging technology.

OCT 24, 2024 Article

Artificial Intelligence and Election Integrity in 2024

This final project from the first CEF cohort discusses the effects of AI on election integrity as billions of people go to the polls in 2024.

未翻译

此内容尚未翻译成您的语言。您可以点击下面的按钮申请翻译。

要求翻译