EXTERNAL ADAPTABILITY
Do governments participate in
international coalitions, and seek to
spread their own reform priorities?
international coalitions, and seek to
spread their own reform priorities?
External adaptability scores are weighted composites. The first two indicators [ 
] each account for one-fourth of the total value, while the third indicator [ ] accounts for one-half of the value.
Scores and methodology
] each account for one-fourth of the total value, while the third indicator [ ] accounts for one-half of the value. Scores and methodology
External adaptabilityKey findings: External adaptability
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
8.5
1
8.3
2
7.9
3
7.7
4
7.4
5
7.2
6
7.1
7
6.9
8
6.7
9
6.7
6.5
11
6.5
Countries in this top group typically play a significant international role, either as an influential model for particular reforms and practices, or as leaders of international reform efforts.
In a number of countries (Slovakia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Ireland, Spain) domestic policies ranging from taxation to immigration have been closely studied and adopted elsewhere.
Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Italy have played substantial roles in developing international institutions such as trade oversight or – in the case of the latter two – EU norms and practices.
Finland has participated particularly actively in UN Security Council missions.
In a number of countries (Slovakia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Ireland, Spain) domestic policies ranging from taxation to immigration have been closely studied and adopted elsewhere.
Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Italy have played substantial roles in developing international institutions such as trade oversight or – in the case of the latter two – EU norms and practices.
Finland has participated particularly actively in UN Security Council missions.
6.2
13
6.1
14
6.0
15
5.8
16
5.3
17
5.2
18
5.0
19
5.0
4.9
21
4.8
22
4.7
23
4.7
4.6
25
In this middle group, efforts at international coordination have been inconsistent, or occasionally regionally focused.
Acting cooperatively on the EU stage is important for the European countries (Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal). France and Germany’s positions as role models have declined, while Belgium is often slow to implement commitments.
Several of these states (Australia, Mexico, South Korea) are influential in their own region, but less so externally. Many (Portugal, Japan, Hungary, Mexico) act primarily as followers in international reform processes.
Turkey serves as a unique bridge between the West and the Islamic world. The United States’ participation in international reform efforts has been focused on its own domestic priorities.
Acting cooperatively on the EU stage is important for the European countries (Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal). France and Germany’s positions as role models have declined, while Belgium is often slow to implement commitments.
Several of these states (Australia, Mexico, South Korea) are influential in their own region, but less so externally. Many (Portugal, Japan, Hungary, Mexico) act primarily as followers in international reform processes.
Turkey serves as a unique bridge between the West and the Islamic world. The United States’ participation in international reform efforts has been focused on its own domestic priorities.
In this lower group, the domestic will or ability to take a leadership role in international reform projects is generally low.
Iceland rarely initiates international reform initiatives, while Switzerland’s international engagement is dampened by its commitment to neutrality.
Domestic politics undermines the external influence of Czech Republic and Poland governments. Greece has been a reform follower.
Iceland rarely initiates international reform initiatives, while Switzerland’s international engagement is dampened by its commitment to neutrality.
Domestic politics undermines the external influence of Czech Republic and Poland governments. Greece has been a reform follower.
Rationale
Cross-border reform projects and coalitions are taking on a growing role in response to threats such as climate change and terrorism.
This criterion assesses the extent to which governments take part in coordinating joint international reform initiatives, and seek to spread their own reform priorities by building transnational reform coalitions.