The U.S. ranks 8th in belief of benefits of U.S. policies

According to a 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 59% of Americans believe that U.S. government policies consider the “interests of other countries around the world.” This made the United States tied for eighth with Uganda in that category. Israel ranks first, with 74% of Israeli’s believing that U.S. policies consider the interests of Israel.

The U.S. ranks 24th in government function

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2008, the United States has a government functioning score of 7.86 out of 10, which makes the United States tied for twenty-fourth with Austria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Slovenia, South Africa, and Spain in that category. Finland and Sweden are tied for first, scoring a perfect 10.

The EIU explains the significance of this score: “Most measures [of democracy] also include aspects of the minimum quality of functioning of government. If democratically-based decisions cannot or are not implemented then the concept of democracy is not very meaningful or it becomes an empty shell” (16).