Assess, rather than dismiss the Global Peace Index

EVERY year, a number of research and consultancy groups and other transnational organizations produce a variety of economic, political, or social analyses of different aspects of life on our planet. The latest of these to be published was the Global Peace Index 2018, which is produced by the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP), an Australia-based think tank.

This year’s edition is the Institute’s 12th annual report, which gives a rather discouraging assessment of “the state of peace” in the country. The Philippines was ranked 137th of 163 countries, one spot lower than last year, and was the lowest rank of any country in East or Southeast Asia except for North Korea, which placed 150th.

When asked to comment on the report, Defense Secretary - not believe that because a lot of people can go around very peacefully. I think [the IEP] was using some parameters that are not present in the Philippines, just because there is war on drugs [according to the report] it’s already least

“In fact, a lot of people are saying that their lives are more peaceful now because of the war on drugs,” he added. I don’t think their study is very conclusive and the methods [ used] are, at most, faulty.”

It is obvious the secretary has not fully read the report. Quickly dismissing a report like this deprives the country of much that can be learned from it.

What the IEP report said was that, indeed, the

“state of peace” in the country had been negatively affected by what it called “political terror,” or in other words, state-sanctioned violence, regardless of whether or not there is a legitimate reason for it. The drug war, which has resulted in thousands of deaths, is a fact; the report makes no judgment of right wrecked a city, cost about 1,200 lives, and displaced tens examples logically make the Philippines less peaceful than any other country where these did not occur.

The report also notes that while the Philippines’ overall rank slipped, the overall score for the country actually improved slightly, which is an indication of improving conditions. Globally and within the region where the study places the Philippines, more countries saw their state of peace deteriorating from the previous year than did those whose environment improved.

While it is reasonable and perhaps even prudent not to take global reports such as the Global Peace Index at face value, they are prepared with as much academic rigor as can be applied, and invite closer scrutiny. Reading them carefully to understand the context and meaning of their results is precisely what those who prepare these reports are hoping policymakers will do.

Global Peace Index 2018, rather than take offense to an can be learned about where the country is succeeding and where it is falling short in its effort to create a more peaceful, stable society.

While it is reasonable and perhaps even prudent not to take global reports such as the Global Peace Index at face value, they are prepared with as much academic rigor as can be applied, and invite closer scrutiny.