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).

The U.S. ranks 140th in meningitis deaths

According to the World Health Organization, in 2002, 0.4 Americans per 100,000 populations died from meningitis, a rate that makes the United States tied for one hundred and fortieth (with Gabon, Oman, France, Cape Verde, Poland, Italy, Singapore, and Austria) in that category. Haiti ranked first, with 73.9 deaths per 100,000 population.

The U.S. ranks 36th in press freedom

According to Reporters Without Borders, in 2008 the United States was tied for thirty-eighth in terms of press freedom. The countries it was tied with are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, South Africa, Spain, and Taiwan. Iceland, Luxembourg, and Norway were tied for first.

Compare the ranking here with this one previously posted.