There are 195 sovereign states in the world. There are nations of all sizes made up of people from many different ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural groups. All nations have something about them that is amazing. However, there are some factors that can objectively make one country better than another. Here are a few…
1. Bigger Economies
A first reason why some countries are better than others is because they have larger economies.
A country’s economic size is measured by its GDP. Essentially, this is the total value of the goods and services a country produces. Having a larger economy means a nation has more successful businesses, makes higher value-add goods and has more decent jobs for people to do.
Larger economies a more dynamic. They provide more opportunities to people across different economic sectors. They also allow for more competition between businesses, which drives innovation and benefits consumers. Top talent from around the world is also attracted to larger economies and the opportunities they provide, meaning people move to countries with bigger economies bringing their knowledge, experience and ideas.
For many people, a country with a larger economy is better than a country with a small one. In nations with higher GDPs, people are more prosperous and have a higher standard of living. This is objectively better.
2. Higher Standard Of Living
A second reason why some countries are better than others is because they have higher standards of living.
For people to lead good lives, they must have their basic needs met. This means they have housing, food and clean water. People also need access to quality education and healthcare when they require it. There is also a need for people to have good productive jobs. Good infrastructure also adds to a country’s standard of living.
Nations with higher standards of living are generally seen as being better than those with lower living standards. In poorer countries, people often struggle to meet their basic needs. Life is harder in these countries and this makes them more difficult places to live.
In countries with higher living standards people are not only able to meet their basic needs, but also often have excess income to spend on things they enjoy. This improves their quality of life, and is one reason why countries with higher living standards can be seen as being better.
3. More Accountability Political Systems
A third reason why some countries are better than others is because they have more accountable political systems.
An accountable political system is where the political leaders of a nation are able to understand, and react, to the wills of the population. They are also held accountable for their actions, and there are checks and balances on their power. Countries with accountable political systems have in-built mechanisms that allows people to choose their leaders and affect their decisions. This can be through local and national elections, as well as referendums.
Countries with more accountable political systems are fairer and freer. This makes them better. People in these countries also have better protected rights, including of speech, assembly, the press and of association. Freer countries also tend to be richer, as people are more able to be economically productive, and investments are better protected.
Nations that have leaders that are accountable to their people and that act in the interests of their country, not themselves, are better than ones that don’t.
4. Better Healthcare
Another reason why some countries are better than others is because they have better healthcare systems.
A country’s healthcare system is vital for its success. When people are ill, they need to receive medical treatment. This is irrespective of their incomes, or whether they live in a town or city or remote part of the country. When people cannot receive the medical assistance they need, they often become economically unproductive – either they cannot work, or they must step-out of the workforce to care for ill relatives.
Poorer countries are often unable to provide quality healthcare systems to their populations. Governments in low-income countries lack the revenue needed to run good medical facilities throughout their nations. This means people must either pay for their own healthcare, if they can afford it, or must go without. This happens less in higher-income countries, and is seen by many as one reason why they are better.
5. Improved Education Systems
A further reason why some countries are better than others is because they have better education systems.
All children need an education. It not only prepares them for adult life, but also allows them to develop skills that mean they can take good jobs and start successful businesses. However, many countries fail to run schools throughout their nations that mean that all children can receive an education. Poorer countries often have to charge parents for children to attend school – meaning low-income families often cannot afford to send their children to school. Rural and remote areas in many poorer countries also often lack good quality education facilities.
Countries that are able to ensure all children go to school, regardless of their families income, are better than those that don’t. Ensuring young people can also access higher education, without going into extreme amounts of debt, is also a sign of a better nation.
6. Better Infrastructure
One thing that can make a country better than others is its infrastructure.
Infrastructure, such as roads, railways, airports, utilities and tele-communication networks, is key to a nation being able to function well. Good infrastructure allows people, goods and information to move around a nation as well as internationally. Poor quality infrastructure slows down movements, making doing business, building connections and creating trade links more difficult.
Countries that have more advanced infrastructure are generally seen as being better. Good quality road and rail networks that connect town and cities, as well as more rural communities, are hugely important for a country. National and international airports are also key for a country. Utilities – allowing people to get electricity, gas and clean water, are needed for people to live healthy productive lives. In the modern age, internet and phone coverage is also key to doing business and for people to stay informed.
A country’s infrastructure can be an important factor in making it a better nation than some others.
7. Better Security
A nation’s internal security can be another way that it is better than some other countries.
People need security in order to live their lives in peace. They also need safety in order to be economically productive, as well as to raise families and be part of their communities. Countries that lack security – such as facing armed conflict or high crime rates, are generally seen as being worse than peaceful countries.
War is the worst thing people do. It not only kills and injures large numbers of soldiers and civilians, but it also destroys houses, businesses and infrastructure. Communities are ripped apart by conflicts and people are forced to flee their homes, often never to return. It can objectively be said that countries without wars are better than those experiencing them.
A low crime rate is another factor that can make a country better than another. Organized, as well as petty, crime can not only have a huge impact on those affected, but also have a significant economic impact. Countries with high rates of crime are poorer than those with lower crime levels. This is a factor making low crime countries better.
8. Improved Human Rights
A final reason why some countries are better than others is because they have improved human rights.
Human rights are a set of norms and principles that govern how people should be treated, and gives all people, regardless of who they are, certain ingrained protections. Human rights are protected by international law and are enshrined in many national legislatures. Human rights protect people from things such as torture, arbitrary arrest, and persecution based on our race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Not every country in the world respects people’s human rights. Countries that have improved human rights records are generally seen as being better nations. People living in countries that do not have good human rights are at risk of abuses. This makes these countries harder to live in. As a result, nations that have not only ingrained human rights in law, but also actively protect them, are better countries.