I'm sure this is an interesting index in some manner, but could you point out some examples how to utilise this information in grading products or companies.
- It's indirect but important. A nation-state provides human development services, the same as products are purchased for their implied services, some of which come from the nation-state, e.g. food inspection, implied warranty enforcement, mandatory labelling. You can't really understand the implication of dealing with a product or company unless you assess how the nation-states involved are supporting them with services. For instance, expenditures on roads for logging might be understandable in some regions that are very poor, but, you might consider them unthinkable in richer nations. So position on the Index actually establishes what you will forgive, and it establishes higher standards for those nations that can afford it. Most directly, products or companies that have interfered with politics in poor countries can be punished if that has led to low positions on the Index. It all makes sense once you break the product down to the services it includes and implies - then the nation-states are just providing more such services, with their own implications. A flag is just a brand for these services...in purchasing you must consider flag, brand and label all as implying different services and guarantees, many of which overlap (like if you buy fruit from a country that doesn't allow GMOs even though it has no label guranteeing that).
- You are making sense. I have had this trouble of figuring out should if one should boycott or endorse an product from countries with low living standards. In the long run boycotting might produce and good overall effect, but endorsing might help the shape up the trade/economy (talking poor countries here) and thus the living standards of the people... etc etc....problem, problem....
- For more on this see Wikipedia (textbook) cookbook. Note it mentions Consumerium cooperation, so getting a lot of crossover is very important. Obviously seeing "grown in Chile" on your grapes is important.