Global Competitiveness Report
I was just reviewing the 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Report from the World Economic Forum as I wait for Nevada's Senate Revenue Committee to begin it's first meeting.
The Report ranks every nation's economic environment on the basis of tax and regulatory burdens, legal structures, property rights protection, the degree of public corruption and governmental efficiency.
The Report reveals some very intriguing aspects on the economic environment in the United States. Below are some of the key findings (in all cases, a #1 ranking indicates the best economic environment):
Strength of property rights
US Rank: 40 (Below China)
Diversion of public funds due to coruption
US Rank: 34 (Below Botswana)
Public trust of politicians
US Rank: 54 (Below Iran, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Syria and Indonesia)
Irregular payments and bribes
US Rank: 40 (Below Botswana)
Judicial Independence
US Rank: 35 (Below Rwanda)
Favoritism in decisions of public officials
US Rank: 55 (Below Tanzania)
Wastefulness of government spending
US Rank: 68 (Below Sri Lanka)
Burden of government regulation
US Rank: 49 (Below Finland, Canada)
Efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes
US Rank: 33 (Below Botswana)
Transparency of government policymaking
US Rank: 41 (Below Rwanda, China, Malaysia)
