What do we look like in the world’s mirror?

GEOFF SIFRIN

US News and World Report’s annual “Best Countries” survey for 2017, polled 21 000 individuals from 80 countries on their perceptions of different nations. Questions were asked on culture, citizenship, power, corruption, political stability, human rights and so on.

Surveys are always to be taken with a pinch of salt. Mark Twain popularised the phrase: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”, which he attributed to British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

In the worst of countries listed in surveys, some people live great lives; and in the best, there are always many miserable people.

Nevertheless, the US News and World Report survey is worth looking at. Nearly two thirds of respondents agree the world has a leadership crisis, especially Africa and Latin America.

Global risk analysis firm Eurasia Group’s head, Ian Bremmer, says the world is in a “geopolitical recession”, a period of instability and lack of leadership exemplified by US President Donald Trump’s election.

So too for South Africa. Amidst bitter leadership battles and the mediocrity of many, this country cries out for great leadership as the ANC breaks apart, President Jacob Zuma and his cabal manipulate state entities through patronage and other means, and opposition figures rush around looking for solid ground.

Which countries are the “best” in the world according to the survey’s criteria? Switzerland, as a metaphor for beauty and orderliness, unsurprisingly comes out tops in the category “Best Countries Overall”, for its quality of life and culture.

It is followed by Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. The United States fell to seventh place this year from fourth last year because nearly 75 per cent of respondents said they lost respect for it during the 2016 presidential campaign’s toxic tone.

In the Twitter universe, Trump’s ugly tweets reached the furthest corners. Israel ranked number 30 and South Africa 38 for “Best country”.

Much of global affairs has to do with activities of powerful countries. In the “Power” category, reflecting “how economically and politically influential a country was”, the United States predictably retained position 1, followed by Russia and China.

A surprising figure for Jews emerges from this power category. Many Jews worldwide feel vulnerable because of anti-Semitism, which is rising worldwide. Yet the tiny Jewish state of Israel is ranked the eighth most powerful nation in the world (remember, these rankings derive from people’s perceptions). For its relatively small size, it is important globally .

While the world is filled everywhere with conflict, most ordinary people just want to live peaceful lives and raise families. They want a good job market, economic and political stability, family-friendly culture, good public education and health systems.

These reflect in the “Quality of Life” category, where Canada came first, then Sweden, Denmark and Australia. Israel ranked 40, and South Africa 59.

Israel’s supporters like to boast about its dynamism, which is clearly reflected in the “Movers” and “Entrepreneurship” categories. In the former, it ranked 19, with its “up-and-coming economics”, and 25 in the latter.

What about South Africa and its future? A majority of the 21 000 respondents pointed to income inequality as a priority world challenge, ahead of gender inequality and climate change.

We need to take serious note of this. The shameful gap between haves and have-nots in South Africa is among the highest worldwide. Even 23 years after democracy, there are still desperately impoverished squatter camps lying minutes away from fancy upmarket neighbourhoods.

Spatial apartheid is alive and well, not just racially but economically. It’s a time-bomb, waiting to explode.

Read Geoff Sifrin’s regular columns on his blog sifrintakingissue.wordpress.com