SGI Studies
Our studies offer comprehensive
examinations of central aspects and
region-specific challenges related to
sustainable governance. Moreover we
have investigated the state of play of
social justice and social inclusion,
COVID-19 crisis management or the
implementation of the Sustainable
Development Goals.
SGI Policy Briefs
Our policy briefs examine specific
policy challenges, summarizing
current interventions and good
practices for policymakers, while
considering the key impacts.
Governance Study
Liberal democracies must practice forward-looking governance
Our study highlights the key differences found among EU and OECD countries with regard to their capacity to develop sustainable policy strategies, the ability to horizontally and vertically coordinate policy, and the acumen in building public consensus. Although progress is needed in all 41 countries, our study also points to some countries featuring good governance practices.
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SGI 2021 COVID Special Study
How Resilient are SGI Countries?
Well-organized democracies have navigated their way through the coronavirus crisis, benefitting from forward-looking and participation-oriented approaches to governance. We see worrying developments in states where media freedom, civil liberties and an independent judiciary were already under threat before the crisis, resulting in the weakest COVID-19 response performances.
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Policy Brief
Major differences in the conditions for successful COVID-19 crisis management
The COVID-19 crisis is functioning as a litmus test of wealthier democracies’ future viability. EU and OECD countries vary considerably in terms of their pre-crisis socioeconomic conditions. Their capacity for political reform also varies widely. These differences are likely to grow as the COVID-19 crisis continues.
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Social Justice in the EU and OECD
Index Report 2019
The Social Justice Index investigates opportunities for social participation in 41 EU and OECD countries on the basis of 46 quantitative and qualitative criteria. It examines six dimensions of social justice: poverty, education, the labor market, intergenerational justice, health, and social inclusion and nondiscrimination.
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SGI 2018
Sustainable Policies and Good Governance in the OECD and EU
The quality of democracy in the OECD and EU has declined in recent years. At the same time, growing political polarization has made the day-to-day work of governance and thus member states’ capacity to reform more difficult. The SGI examines 41 countries in terms of their democratic standards, quality of governance and policy outcomes.
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Social Justice in the EU 2017
Index Report
The Social Justice Index compares 28 EU states across six dimensions: Poverty prevention, equitable education, labor market access, social cohesion and non-discrimination, health, as well as intergenerational justice. It reveals that EU countries vary considerably in their ability to create a truly inclusive society.
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Social Justice in the EU 2016
Index Report
Based on quantitative and qualitative SGI data, the Social Justice Index compares the 28 EU states across six dimensions: Poverty prevention, equitable education, labor market access, social cohesion and non-discrimination, health, as well as intergenerational justice. It reveals that EU countries vary considerably in their ability to create a truly inclusive society.
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UN SDGs
Are the rich countries ready?
The MDGs have led to tangible progress in many developing countries. The United Nations’ new global Sustainable Development Goals will additionally require industrialized countries to implement such standards beginning in 2016. But the world’s first comprehensive stocktaking shows that most industrialized nations are a long way from serving as role models for sustainable development.
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Social Justice
Social Justice in the OECD – How Do the Member States Compare?
Just how effective are OECD states in ensuring the systemic and structural social arrangements needed to foster inclusive growth? Drawing on selected SGI indicators, this study compares and contrasts the state of social justice in 31 OECD states, providing insight into what works in which context, and where policies are falling short.
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BRICS Study
Good Governance in the BRICS
The BRICS states have in recent years attracted much attention as emerging political and economic global players. But just how sustainable is such rapid growth and development? How transparent, participatory and accountable is governance in each of these states? How effectively do their governments address reform needs? This study addresses these and other BRICS-related questions.
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Asia Study
Assessing Pathways to Success
Why are some Asian countries successful in increasing their GDP, raising living standards, protecting the environment and establishing robust democratic standards, while others remain mired in underdevelopment? This study focuses on 8 Asian states and asks which features of governance have driven growth, how sustainable they are, and the extent to which democratic principles influence decision-making.
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SGI 2011
Policy Performance and Good Governance in the OECD
As states around the globe face the challenges of economic globalization, migration, and climate and demographic change, the need for effective and capable leadership is urgent. The SGI is a cross-national survey of good governance in the OECD that identifies the specific reform needs in each state and how adept they are at implementing forward-looking policies.
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