The "Rule of Law Index"

Relative governmental corruption according to the 2011 Rule of Law Index

The Rule of Law Index is a yearly report by the World Justice Project that attempts to quantify the conduct of countries around the world based on their adherence to the "rule of law."  It's overall map is found here.  The World Justice Project itself is a non-profit and, from I can tell (maybe not too much), appears nonpartisan.

Its examination of "the rule of law" follows these four fundamental principles:

1. The government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law.
2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and fair, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property. 
3. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is accessible, efficient, and fair. 
4. Justice is delivered by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

It breaks these down into in nine categories -- (1) limited government powers, (2) absence of corruption, (3) order and security, (4) fundamental rights, (5) open government, (6) effective regulatory enforcement, (7) effective civil justice, (8) effective criminal justice, and (9) informal justice -- and those, in turn, down into numerous subcategories. Its methodology involves statistical analysis couple with interviews and questionnaires.

It is hard to understate, I think, the importance of the rule of law to the welfare of people as well as to their industry. I didn't find the conclusions of the report particularly earth shaking -- though it was interesting to page through the analysis -- what is wonderful is the World Justice's efforts to squarely confront and address the issue. We need more of this, please.