So, I agree with all the commenters who be like “the listed questions feel like an oddly specific set of questions that are cherrypicked.” It’s not obvious what to actually do instead.
One angle is to try for more of a “world map” rather than a “US map” that is trying to ask general questions across history that a) make it easier to compare the US to other countries (Which seems relevant) and also forces the mindset of “see what are interesting things to notice across history” as opposed to “try to answer specific questions”)
Which, like, I still have no idea how to do.
But, it occurs to me OurWorldInData is already kinda trying to be this thing. Taking a quick look there, it seems like often there’s only relatively recent data (makes sense).
Their page on corruption does a decent job of laying out why the problem of asking “how corrupt are countries?” is hard, but, answers it a few different ways.
Thinking out loud about next steps.
So, I agree with all the commenters who be like “the listed questions feel like an oddly specific set of questions that are cherrypicked.” It’s not obvious what to actually do instead.
One angle is to try for more of a “world map” rather than a “US map” that is trying to ask general questions across history that a) make it easier to compare the US to other countries (Which seems relevant) and also forces the mindset of “see what are interesting things to notice across history” as opposed to “try to answer specific questions”)
Which, like, I still have no idea how to do.
But, it occurs to me OurWorldInData is already kinda trying to be this thing. Taking a quick look there, it seems like often there’s only relatively recent data (makes sense).
Their page on corruption does a decent job of laying out why the problem of asking “how corrupt are countries?” is hard, but, answers it a few different ways.